A syndrome diagnosed through multiple motor ticks and one or more vocal tics, which occur many times a day for more than 1 year. Complexity and severity of tics change over time. Significant impairment of academic, social, or occupational areas is experienced, with the individual often feeling ashamed and self-conscious.
- Blinking, neck-jerking, shrugging, grimacing, coughing, clearing the throat, grunting, sniffing, snorting, coprolalia (socially unacceptable speech; expletives), palilalia (repeating one’s own words or sounds), echolalia (repeating others’ words or sounds), facial gestures, jumping, touching or smelling an object. Almost all of the following described will be experienced throughout an individual’s lifetime.
- Treated with atypical antipsychotics: risperidone (Risperdal), aripiprazole (Abilify), and pimozide (Orap)
- May be concomitant with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Chronic motor or tic disorders differ from Tourette’s in that either motor or vocal tics are present, but not both.