Tourette's Syndrome

Key facts

• Tourette's syndrome is a neurological disorder in which a person produces repeated, involuntary movements or sounds (tics); it usually appears between ages five and ten and often improves in adulthood.
• Motor tics involve the body (eye blinking, head jerking, shoulder shrugging); vocal tics are involuntary sounds (throat clearing, sniffing, grunting, occasionally words).
• Mild tics may need no medicine; where tics disrupt daily life, haloperidol, a dopamine-blocking agent, reduces their frequency and severity, often alongside habit-reversal therapy.
• Anxiety and OCD-type symptoms commonly co-occur and may need mental health support.

How tics present

Tics fall into two groups. Motor tics involve the body, eye blinking, head jerking, shoulder shrugging or facial grimacing. Vocal tics are involuntary sounds: throat clearing, sniffing, grunting, or in a minority uttering words or phrases. Symptoms wax and wane, often worsening with stress or fatigue and easing during focused activity, and many people feel a build-up sensation before a tic releases.

Managing Tourette's syndrome

Mild tics that cause little disruption may not need medication. Where tics significantly affect daily life, school or work, a neurologist or psychiatrist can assess options. Haloperidol is a well-established dopamine-blocking agent used to reduce tic frequency and severity, and behavioural therapies, particularly habit reversal training, are often used alongside it. Support from mental health specialists can address anxiety or OCD-related symptoms that commonly co-occur.

When to see a doctor

See a neurologist or psychiatrist if tics interfere with school, work or wellbeing, or if anxiety, low mood or compulsions develop alongside them.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.