Tourette Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Tourette Syndrome?
Common tics are often diagnosed by a primary care doctor, a pediatrician (a doctor who treats children), or a mental health specialist. Unusual cases may need a specialist with more experience. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is Tourette syndrome?
Tourette syndrome is a condition that causes a person to make repeated, quick movements or sounds that they cannot control. These movements and sounds are called tics. It is a neurological disorder, which means it involves the brain and nerves. Most cases are mild. It is not a degenerative condition, which means it does not keep getting worse, and people with it have a normal life expectancy.
Symptoms
The main sign is tics. Simple tics include:
- Eye blinking and other eye movements.
- Shoulder shrugging, or head and shoulder jerking.
- Throat clearing, sniffing, barking, or grunting.
Complex tics are coordinated patterns of movement that involve several muscle groups. Contrary to popular belief, only a small number of people use curse words or other inappropriate words. Tics often start between ages 5 and 10, usually in the head and neck area. Tics come and go, and their type, how often they happen, and how strong they are can change over time. Tics often get worse with excitement or anxiety and better during calm, focused activities. Some people can hold back a tic for a short time, but tension builds up until the tic comes out. Tics often slow or stop during sleep.
Many people with Tourette syndrome also have other conditions, such as:
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
- Learning disabilities.
These related conditions often cause more problems than the tics themselves.
Causes and who gets it
The cause of Tourette syndrome is unknown. Most cases involve the interaction of many gene variations and environmental factors. It may involve chemicals called dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, which help nerve cells signal one another.
The condition is likely passed down through families. A child who inherits a gene change may not have any symptoms. It is 3 times as likely to occur in boys as in girls.
How doctors diagnose it
There are no blood, lab, or imaging tests needed for diagnosis. A health care provider will likely do an exam to check for other causes of the symptoms. To diagnose it, a doctor looks for:
- Both movement tics and vocal tics, happening several times a day, every day or on and off, for at least 1 year.
- Tics that began before age 18.
- Tics that are not caused by medicines, other substances, or medical conditions.
In rare cases, an MRI, CT scan, EEG, or blood tests are used to rule out other conditions.
Treatment
There is currently no cure for Tourette syndrome, but treatments can help manage some symptoms. People with mild tics may not need treatment. If tics get in the way of daily life, there are medicines and other treatments that work. Treatment options include:
- Medicines that block dopamine, which are the most consistently useful for reducing tics.
- Clonidine and guanfacine, which are also used for high blood pressure.
- Behavior therapy, such as awareness training and competing response training.
- Psychotherapy, which can help a person cope with the disorder and related problems such as ADHD, depression, anxiety, and OCD.
No one medicine helps all people with Tourette syndrome, and no medicine completely removes symptoms. Some medicines can cause side effects, so a doctor should manage them carefully. In competing response training, a person learns to move in a planned way when they feel the urge to tic. Deep brain stimulation, which uses a surgically placed device in the brain, is being tested for people who do not respond well to medicines and behavior therapy.
When to see a doctor
Make an appointment with your provider if you or your child has tics that are severe or persistent, or that get in the way of daily life. Tell a doctor if tics cause harm to yourself, because some tics can lead to self-harm.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Such a doctor can ask about the tics and do an exam to check for other causes. They can also help you find a specialist when tics or related problems need more care.
Common questions
Is there a cure for Tourette syndrome?
No, there is currently no cure for Tourette syndrome. Treatments can help manage some symptoms.
Do people with Tourette syndrome always swear?
No, only a small number of people use curse words or other inappropriate words or phrases.
Do tics get better with age?
Often they do, because symptoms are often worst during the teenage years and then improve in early adulthood. For some people, tics last into adulthood.
Can people with Tourette syndrome stop their tics?
Some people can stop a tic for a period of time. But the tic is often stronger for a few minutes after they let it start again.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Tourette syndrome
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke - Tourette Syndrome
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
