Phenomenology of Tics and Sensory Urges: The Self Under Siege

Abstract The origin of tics may be related to a heightened and selective sensitivity to cues from within the body or from the outside world, possibly as a result of a reduced ability to suppress irrelevant information in sensory, motor, and cognitive domains. The temporal pattern of tics, which are known to occur in bouts and wax and wane in severity, and their long-term outcome might represent important clues to the neurobiology of tics. Moreover, the role played by the environmental context in modulating tic expression may be key to developing and refining novel behavioral interventions. The association of tics with comorbid behavioral problems has a very strong impact on social, emotional, and academic outcomes in adulthood. This chapter introduces the reader to the wide phenomenological spectrum of Tourette syndrome and other tic disorders. The key phenomenological features of Tourette syndrome and related disorders represent crucial educational objectives for clinicians, teachers, parents, and peers that may lead to better clinical, social, and academic outcomes.