What are the first signs of Tourette’s Syndrome? Early Symptoms to Look Out For

March 9, 2026

Tourette’s syndrome seems to be gaining prominence in the national media, with producer Kirk Jones’s brilliant, powerful biographical film ‘I Swear’ shining a cinematic lens on the condition just this year. In spite of this, many people still don’t know what Tourette’s syndrome is, or how it presents, which can lead to many false assumptions and misconceptions. Maybe you too, are confused about what symptoms could indicate that you may, or may not have the condition. We hope that the information provided here will help you learn more about Tourette’s syndrome, bust some common myths and give you greater clarity about what signs to look out for which may indicate that you, or your loved ones may in fact have Tourette’s syndrome.

What is Tourette’s syndrome?

ourette’s syndrome is named after Georges Gilles de la Tourette who first described the symptoms of the condition in 1885. Tourette’s syndrome is a neurological condition characterised by involuntary muscle movements and sounds known as motor and vocal tics.

The spectrum

Tourette’s syndrome is on a spectrum of conditions known as tic disorders. These include:

Transient tic disorder (Provisional tic disorder): Is the most common tic disorder and is diagnosed when a person’s tics last for a few weeks, or months.
Chronic tic disorder: Individuals with this diagnosis either display vocal, or motor tics exclusively, and tics are present for longer than 12 months.
Tic disorder not specified: Is diagnosed when a person experiences tics but their symptoms do not fit the criteria for another tic disorder.

Tourette’s syndrome fact file:

There are well over 300 thousand individuals in the United Kingdom who are living with Tourette’s syndrome.
Tourette’s syndrome affects more males than females, with between 70-80% of those with Tourette’s identifying as male.
Tourette’s syndrome develops exclusively in childhood.
Up to 85% of people with Tourette’s syndrome have co-occurring neurodivergent conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). With up to 60% of people with Tourette’s syndrome experiencing OCD.

What causes Tourette’s syndrome?

Despite the first case of Tourette’s syndrome being diagnosed in 1885 there is no agreed definitive cause of the condition, however, research has suggested that it may develop due to a combination of environmental factors, brain differences and a person’s unique genetic makeup.

Early signs and symptoms of Tourette’s syndrome

When does Tourette’s syndrome begin?

Tics usually first appear in childhood, typically between the ages of 5 to 7 and they frequently increase in their intensity up until age 12. Commonly, the first symptom of Tourette’s syndrome are small facial tics. Some tics remain mild and so some people go throughout their lives without diagnosis.

What is it like experiencing tics?

Tics commonly come on suddenly and are fast and repetitive. Tics can take many different forms and people with Tourette’s syndrome usually have a variety of motor and vocal tics. Symptoms range from minor movements, to non-stop motor tics and sounds which an individual has little control over. Some people with Tourette’s syndrome report feeling internal tension, sometimes compared to a physical sensation, such as a need to sneeze and this strong urge occurs before experiencing a tic. Individuals with Tourette’s syndrome are rarely without tics, which usually occur multiple times per day, but tics do become more mild, often disappearing during periods of sleep, or sometimes during moments of extreme focus.

Can you control tics?

Tics are involuntary and uncontrollable, however a few people report being able to suppress some of their tics for a short period of time. It can require a lot of effort for an individual to focus on suppressing a tic and therefore it may interfere with them concentrating on other things and lead to mental fatigue.

What is a ‘tic attack’?

Some individuals with Tourette’s syndrome experience what they call ‘tic attacks’, a term used to describe when a person has a series of severe, uncontrollable whole body tics, often lasting anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. ‘Tic attacks’ are often caused by specific situations, or feelings which trigger high anxiety and panic. Tourette’s Action recommends that developing strategies to cope with feelings of panic may help individuals who experience tic attacks.

Types of tics

Motor tics can be simple, or complex: Simple tics usually affect muscles which are closer together and can include shaking, blinking, grimacing or shoulder shrugging. Complex motor tics typically involve more muscle groups and may look like a sequence of movements, such as ankle tapping, clapping, kicking out, touching objects or jumping.
Vocal tics can also be simple or complex: Simple vocal tics can include things such as coughing, grunting, whistling, throat clearing and humming. Complex tics may include saying words or phrases and repeating other people’s sentences, called echolalia.

Don’t people with Tourette’s syndrome swear?

One of the greatest misconceptions about Tourette’s syndrome, often stoked by the mainstream media, is that all people with the condition use bad language. However, very few people with Tourette’s syndrome (10-30%) actually have coprolalia, the clinical terms for tics which are curse words, or socially inappropriate words, or phrases.

You may have Tourette’s syndrome if.

You have motor tics and make sudden, repetitive movements you can’t control
You have verbal tics and make unexpected noises, or repeat certain words, or phrases
You notice that your tics become more noticeable when you are feeling heightened emotions
You find it challenging to suppress the tics
The above symptoms have an effect on your daily living
You have another frequently co-occurring neurodivergent condition, such as OCD, or ADHD

How do they diagnose Tourette’s syndrome?

There is no brain scan, or medical test to diagnose Tourette’s syndrome, however blood and imaging tests may be carried out to rule out other conditions. In order to be diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome you must have experienced multiple motor ticks and one or more vocal tics over a 12-month period and symptoms must have occurred before 18 years of age. The tics must occur frequently throughout the day and must not be a result of another medical condition, or medication. A Tourette’s syndrome diagnosis may lead to greater self-understanding, may open the doors to healthcare support and help prevent discrimination.

How Tourette’s syndrome develops over time

What influences tics?

Tics often come and go with no clear pattern, though many people have found that they can be influenced by environmental factors and emotional states. Furthermore, overtime there may be changes to the types of tics people experience and the intensity of them. For instance, individuals may find that their tics change when they are experiencing periods of high stress, poor sleep, excitement, or focussed attention.

What is the long term prognosis of Tourette’s syndrome?

Each individual with Tourette’s has their own unique challenges and strengths and therefore there is currently no way of predicting how Tourette’s syndrome may develop over time from one individual to another. During the preteen years many people’s tics are most severe. However, research conducted in 2018 found that the overall long term prognosis for children diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome was mostly positive, with many individuals experiencing a significant reduction in symptoms as they approached adulthood.

When to seek support or an assessment

If you feel that your tics are severe and persistent and are having a significant impact upon your daily life it may be time to seek some support. Speaking to a GP is generally the first port of call if you are concerned about your symptoms. Your GP may refer you to a neurologist who may be able to guide you and signpost you to further support which may be available. There is no cure for Tourette’s syndrome, however there are a range of medications and behavioural therapy techniques available. Some people have found therapy useful for reducing a few symptoms, helping them to learn to embrace life with Tourette’s syndrome and their co-existing conditions and helping them to recognise the many strengths of having a brain which is wired in a unique and wonderful way.

Conclusion

We hope that this post has helped you to recognise the early signs and symptoms of Tourette’s Syndrome and reassure you that help and support is available if you feel that you, or one of your loved ones require it. Do you want to learn more about Tourette’s Syndrome? Why not check out our fact sheet on Tourette’s syndrome here: Learn More About Tourette’s Syndrome

References

Functional ticks: https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/wards-and-departments/departments/clinical-specialties/psychological-and-mental-health-services-pamhs/the-tic-service/functional-tics/

What is Tourette’s Syndrome: https://www.tourettes-action.org.uk/67-what-is-ts.html

Tourette’s syndrome in children: https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/tourette.html

Recognising early signs of Tourette’s: https://www.linkhealthclinics.com/post/recognizing-early-signs-of-tourettes

Tourette syndrome: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000733.htm

Symptoms of TS: https://www.tourettes-action.org.uk/19-symptoms-.html

Correlates and clinical implications of tic suppressibility: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8224814/#:~:text=Thus%2C%20effort%20expended%20suppressing%20tics,of%20an%20effective%20behavior%20therapy.