Tourette syndrome is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by multiple tics. A tic is a sudden, rapid, repetitive, non-rhythmic movement (e.g. eye blinking) or vocalization (e.g. throat clearing). Tics are often described as semi-voluntary or ‘unvoluntary’, as, strictly speaking, they are neither voluntary nor involuntary, but may be experienced as a voluntary response to an unwanted distressing sensation called ‘premonitory urge’. Premonitory urges are physical ‘build-up’ sensations to perform specific tics, which are perceived as suppressible yet irresistible, similar to the need to sneeze or scratch an itch. Patients often describe the need to tic as the mounting of inner tension, localized either to the body region where the tic is about to occur or throughout the body. Tic expression is typically associated with a transient sensation of relief.