Tourette Syndrome

Overview

Patients at Mayo Clinic benefit from a team of specialists experienced in the care of children and adults with tic disorders and Tourette syndrome.

Physicians from multiple specialties work together on a patient's diagnosis and treatment. Mayo Clinic also performs epidemiological and treatment studies dealing with Tourette syndrome and is a site for the Tourette Syndrome Study Group.

Diagnosis

Tic disorders are sometimes difficult to diagnose as they can come and go and may be suppressed during examinations or mistakenly attributed to psychological or behavioral problems. There is no laboratory test for tic disorders or Tourette syndrome. A Tourette syndrome diagnosis is based on the presence of both movement and vocal tics for at least a year. Read more about Tourette syndrome diagnosis.

Treatment Options

Medications and non-medication approaches can effectively control the symptoms of tic disorders and Tourette syndrome. Family education is provided at Mayo Clinic including discussions about what tics are, how to deal with tics at home and at school, and how to treat related problems such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder or obsessive compulsive behavior. Read more about Tourette syndrome treatment options.

• Treatment in Arizona
• Treatment in Florida
• Treatment in Minnesota
• Treatment of Children & Adolescents

About Tourette Syndrome

Tics are repeated involuntary movements or vocal sounds and can include eye blinking, repeated throat clearing or sniffing, arm thrusting, kicking movements, shrugging or jumping. Tics are neither intentional nor purposeful. Tourette syndrome is the name given to the presence of both movement and vocal tics for longer than a year.

Read more at
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