Tourette Syndrome

Tourette syndrome is a brain difference that causes tics: sudden, repeated movements or sounds that are hard to stop. It starts in childhood, is more common than people think, and usually gets better by adulthood.

Most people with Tourette never swear involuntarily. TV just finds the swearing funnier.

What tics are

• Motor tics: blinking, grimacing, shoulder shrugging, head jerking.
• Vocal tics: sniffing, throat clearing, grunting, words or phrases.
• Most people feel an urge or itch before a tic, and the tic relieves it.
• Tics can be held back for a while, but that takes effort. They often get worse with stress, excitement or tiredness, and ease with focused activities.

Tourette syndrome

• Diagnosed when someone has both motor and vocal tics for more than a year, starting before 18.
• Usually starts around age 5–7.
• Affects up to 1 in 100 children, and boys 3–4 times more often than girls.
• Many children with milder tics are never diagnosed.

Myths

• “It’s the swearing condition.” Only about 1 in 10 people with Tourette syndrome have swearing tics.
• “They could stop if they tried.” Holding tics back is exhausting and they come back.
• “It’s for life.” Tics usually peak in the early teens. By adulthood about a third have no tics and another third only mild ones.

Often comes with

• ADHD (about half), OCD or obsessive thoughts, anxiety and learning difficulties.
• These often cause more trouble than the tics, so they’re worth treating first.

What helps

• Understanding: explaining tics to the child, family and school is the first step. Many people need nothing more.
• Behaviour therapy: CBIT (habit reversal) teaches a competing movement to use when the urge comes. It’s the first-line treatment when tics are a problem.
• Medicines: clonidine or guanfacine first for many people, especially with ADHD; aripiprazole or risperidone for more severe tics. A specialist usually starts these.
• Don’t tell children to stop or draw attention to tics. It usually makes them worse.

See your GP if

• Tics are causing pain, distress, bullying or trouble at school or work
• Tics start suddenly in an adult, or come with other new symptoms

Helpful resources

• Tourette Syndrome Association of AustraliaInformation, camps and support. Australia.

Evidence and more information

• Patient.info (professional): Tourette syndrome and other tic disorders
• Better Health Channel: Tourette syndrome

Updated 13 November 2026. General education, not personal medical advice. Treatment depends on your situation, so talk to your GP or pharmacist.

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