Tourette’s Syndrome (too-RETTS SIN -drome) is a disorder that causes tics. These tics are sudden, brief movements (like muscle spasms) or sounds (like words or grunts) that a person repeats over and over. They are hard to control, can be mild to severe, and come and go over time. Common tics are eye blinking and shoulder shrugging. The tics tend to get worse with stress.
Almost invariably Tourette’s syndrome starts before the age of 18 and lasts for at least one year. People with Tourette’s syndrome may also have obsessive-compulsive disorder or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.