This is an inherited condition which is characterized as a neurobehavioral disorder that makes the person do repeated involuntary and uncontrollable actions, vocal sounds (tics) and bodily movements. The onset of the symptoms of this condition starts at early childhood and can be related to other conditions.
The diagnostic criteria are the following:
- Performing multiple motor and vocal tics at the same time but not simultaneously;
- Performing tics multiple times a day, every day for at least one year;
- There are periodic changes in frequency, location, severity and type of tics. The symptoms sometimes wane for a couple of weeks or months.