About Tourette's Syndrome

Tourette's syndrome is a neurological disorder which is characterized by its most obvious symptom: vocal or motor tics. These tics are involuntary movements or vocal sounds (or combinations of the two).

Tourette's is genetic, and hereditary. Originally, the syndrome wasn't well known when Dr. Georges Gilles de la Tourette first described the condition in 1885. Since then, though, it's become better defined and better known. It's estimated that about 1 in every 200 people suffer from Tourette's syndrome, although most cases are relatively mild. About 100,000 Americans are estimated to have the more "complete", or severe, form of Tourette's Syndrome.

The syndrome is best known for those whose tics involve loud or socially inappropriate vocalizations (known as coprolalia) — which is a common misconception since as few as 10-15% of Tourette's sufferers exhibit these symptoms.

In a name…

Tourette Syndrome is also known as Gilles de la Tourette syndrome, Tourette's Disorder, Tourette Spectrum Disorder, and commonly just Tourette's for short.

Who is affected?

Tourette's syndrome usually appears during childhood, and appears more often in males than in females (by up to 4 times, according to some studies). In many cases, the effects of Tourette's syndrome fade as a person matures, although in some cases they can also increase in severity. Most cases of Tourette's, however, are mild.

Those with mild symptoms may be able to hide their Tourette's almost completely, resisting tics when in the presence of others. More severe cases, however, can make it difficult for a person to function in society.