Tics — sudden, brief, intermittent movements or sounds — are the hallmark sign of Tourette syndrome. They can range from mild to severe. Severe symptoms might significantly interfere with communication, daily functioning and quality of life. Tics are classified as: 
Simple tics. These sudden, brief and repetitive tics involve a limited number of muscle groups.
Complex tics. These distinct, coordinated patterns of movements involve several muscle groups.
 Tics can also involve movement (motor tics) or sounds (vocal tics). Motor tics usually begin before vocal tics do. But the spectrum of tics that people experience is diverse. 
Common motor tics seen in Tourette syndrome


Simple tics
Complex tics




Eye blinking
Touching or smelling objects


Head jerking
Repeating observed movements


Shoulder shrugging
Stepping in a certain pattern


Eye darting
Obscene gesturing


Nose twitching
Bending or twisting


Mouth movements
Hopping


 Common motor tics seen in Tourette syndrome 

Simple tics
Complex tics

 
Simple tics
Complex tics
 Simple tics Complex tics 

Eye blinking
Touching or smelling objects


Head jerking
Repeating observed movements


Shoulder shrugging
Stepping in a certain pattern


Eye darting
Obscene gesturing


Nose twitching
Bending or twisting


Mouth movements
Hopping

 
Eye blinking
Touching or smelling objects
 Eye blinking Touching or smelling objects 
Head jerking
Repeating observed movements
 Head jerking Repeating observed movements 
Shoulder shrugging
Stepping in a certain pattern
 Shoulder shrugging Stepping in a certain pattern 
Eye darting
Obscene gesturing
 Eye darting Obscene gesturing 
Nose twitching
Bending or twisting
 Nose twitching Bending or twisting 
Mouth movements
Hopping
 Mouth movements Hopping 
Common vocal tics seen in Tourette syndrome


Simple tics
Complex tics




Grunting
Repeating one's own words or phrases


Coughing
Repeating others' words or phrases


Throat clearing
Using vulgar, obscene or swear words


Barking



 Common vocal tics seen in Tourette syndrome 

Simple tics
Complex tics

 
Simple tics
Complex tics
 Simple tics Complex tics 

Grunting
Repeating one's own words or phrases


Coughing
Repeating others' words or phrases


Throat clearing
Using vulgar, obscene or swear words


Barking


 
Grunting
Repeating one's own words or phrases
 Grunting Repeating one's own words or phrases 
Coughing
Repeating others' words or phrases
 Coughing Repeating others' words or phrases 
Throat clearing
Using vulgar, obscene or swear words
 Throat clearing Using vulgar, obscene or swear words 
Barking

 Barking  In addition, tics can: 
Vary in type, frequency and severity
Worsen if you're ill, stressed, anxious, tired or excited
Occur during sleep
Change over time
Worsen in the early teenage years and improve during the transition into adulthood
 Before the onset of motor or vocal tics, you'll likely experience an uncomfortable bodily sensation (premonitory urge) such as an itch, a tingle or tension. Expression of the tic brings relief. With great effort, some people with Tourette syndrome can temporarily stop or hold back a tic.