These outbursts are neither intentional nor purposeful. The symptoms of TS generally appear before the individual is 18 years old. It is estimated that 100,000 Americans have full-blown TS, and that perhaps as many as 1 in 200 show a partial expression of the disorder. The natural course of TS varies from patient to patient. Although TS symptoms range from very mild to quite severe, the majority of cases fall in the mild category.
Associated conditions can include obsessitivity, attentional problems and impulsiveness.
The symptoms of TS can be characterized as mild, moderate, or severe by their frequency, their complexity, and the degree to which they cause impairment or disruption of the individual's ongoing activities and daily life. However, facial tics can also include nose twitching or grimaces. With time, other motor tics may appear, such as head jerking, neck stretching, foot stamping, or body twisting and bending. TS patients may utter strange and unacceptable sounds, words, or phrases. It is not uncommon for a person with TS to continuously clear his or her throat, cough, sniff, grunt, yelp, bark or shout.