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Consultant Neurologist and Tourettes Action Medical Director Dr Jeremy Stern describes Tourette Syndrome, explains different treatments and gives information on where to find support. NHS Choices
One child in every hundred has TS.
- People with TS have tics, which force them to make involuntary movements and sounds. Tics change from time to time.
- Three times as many boys as girls have TS.
- TS typically starts around the age of seven. It may persist throughout life, although symptoms often improve in late adolescence.
- Involuntary swearing (coprolalia) affects only one person in ten with TS. It is an unusual symptom, but the one that gets most public and media attention.
- Nearly ninety per cent of people with TS have associated disorders as well, including obsessional behaviours and hyperactivity/attention deficit disorder.
- Parents with TS have a one in two chance of passing the gene to their children.
- TS is a neurological condition of unknown origin. Research is needed to improve quality of life for people with TS by discovering causes, routes to earlier diagnosis and better treatments.
If you would like to interview someone with TS or a member of their family or would like to be added to our mailing list, please contact Hillary Box communications@tourettes-action.org.uk tel 020 7793 5354.
