This is a condition characterised by multiple tics. Tics are involuntary twitch-like movements involving groups of muscles. The tics range from very simple to more complex, purposeful movements.
Vocal tics can be as simple as throat clearing or coughing.
Tics can be suppressed for a short time and so, for example, the condition may appear different at school compared to home. The onset of the symptoms is usually between the ages of 5-11 with a maximum starting age of 21. There is a very wide range of severity so that many people with the condition may never need to seek medical attention whilst others have a socially disabling condition. Symptoms may occur and disappear, increase or decrease in severity, or new symptoms may arise. In some cases remissions occur.