Tourette Syndrome Symptoms & Diagnosis

Symptoms

Symptoms range from mild to severe, but most cases are mild. They can occur suddenly, and the length of time they last can vary. Tics may temporarily decrease with concentration or distraction. During times of stress, they may occur more often.

Tics are divided into motor and vocal, and then subdivided into simple and complex. The following are common examples:

• Motor tics
  • Simple—eye blinking, facial grimacing, head jerking, arm or leg thrusting
  • Complex—jumping, smelling, touching things or other people, twirling around
• Vocal tics
  • Simple—throat clearing, coughing, sniffing, grunting, yelping, barking
  • Complex—saying words or phrases that do not make sense in a given situation, saying obscene or socially unacceptable words (called coprolalia)

Many people with TS also have one or more of the following problems:

• Obsessions
• Compulsions and ritualistic behaviors
• Attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity (ADD or ADHD)
• Learning disabilities
• Difficulties with impulse control
• Sleep disorders

While tics may occur throughout life, older teens may find that symptoms improve. In less than 10%-40% of cases, people have remission from symptoms.

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. TS is diagnosed by observing the symptoms and reviewing when they began and how they progressed. There are no blood or neurological tests to diagnose TS. Some doctors may order an MRI scan , CT scan , EEG , or blood tests to rule out other disorders.