The Facts
Tourette syndrome (TS), named after the French neurologist who first described it, is a neurological disorder characterized by motor tics (brief, non-rhythmic, stereotyped movements) and vocal tics.
TS is usually first noticed in childhood between 7 and 10 years of age. Depending on how strictly it's defined, experts estimate that TS affects 1 in 100 people. Boys are three times more likely to be diagnosed with this condition than girls.
Although there is no cure for TS, most people do not need medical treatment if symptoms aren't bothersome. Severe cases of TS can cause behavior that many people find bizarre, rude, or alarming. Many people who have heard of this condition associate it with loud and uncontrollable swearing. This is one possible symptom of TS, but it's a fairly rare one. Most people with TS have much less severe tics.
People with TS may also have other associated behaviors or symptoms, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Not everyone with TS has these conditions, and the link between TS and these conditions is unclear.
The symptoms of TS usually improve during late teenage years, but other medical conditions associated with TS, such as depression and anxiety, may continue into adulthood. People with TS have a normal life expectancy and intelligence.