You don’t “get” Tourette’s the way you catch a cold, and you absolutely can’t safely make yourself have it on purpose.

Quick Scoop

Tourette syndrome is a neurological condition people are born with a tendency toward; it usually starts in childhood and involves involuntary movements or sounds called tics. Doctors diagnose it based on symptoms (motor and vocal tics lasting at least a year, starting before age 18), not from a single blood test or scan.

Tourette’s is not a joke, a trend, or a challenge. It can be exhausting, painful, and socially difficult for the people who live with it every day.

How do people get Tourette’s?

Current evidence shows:

  • It is mostly linked to genetics and brain development, not something you “cause” by choice.
  • It usually starts between about ages 5–10, sometimes up to mid-teens.
  • Stress, anxiety, or illness can make existing tics worse, but they don’t “create” true Tourette’s from nothing.
  • It is not caused by “trying to tic,” watching videos, or copying others, although some people can temporarily pick up tic‑like behaviors that way; that is different from Tourette syndrome.

So if your question is literally “how do you get Tourette’s?” the honest answer is: you generally don’t get it on purpose; some people are born with a vulnerability, and their tics appear as their brain develops.

Why trying to “get” Tourette’s is harmful

  • Intentionally copying tics can lead to muscle strain, pain, or injury.
  • It can delay getting proper help if you actually have anxiety, OCD, ADHD, autism, or other conditions that can also involve repetitive movements or sounds.
  • It can be hurtful or dismissive toward people who really have Tourette’s and don’t have the option to “turn it off.”

If you feel a strong urge to have tics or you find yourself mimicking them a lot, that’s a sign something is going on emotionally or psychologically that deserves support, not judgment.

If you think you might have Tourette’s

You can’t diagnose yourself, but you can look at some key points doctors use:

  • You have at least two different movement (motor) tics and at least one sound (vocal) tic.
  • The tics have been coming and going for over a year.
  • They started before age 18.
  • They are not better explained by medications, substances, or another medical condition.

If that sounds like you and it’s bothering you, the next steps are:

  1. Talk to a parent, carer, or trusted adult about what you’re experiencing.
  2. Ask to see a doctor (GP, pediatrician, neurologist, or psychiatrist) and, if you can, bring a short video of your tics to the appointment.
  1. Ask specifically whether what you’re experiencing could be tics or Tourette syndrome and what support or treatment options exist.

Treatments can include education and school accommodations, therapy that helps manage tics, and sometimes medication for tics or related conditions like ADHD or OCD.

A quick example to make it clearer

Imagine two teens:

  • Teen A started blinking hard, shrugging, and making small throat‑clearing sounds at age 7, and it’s been happening off and on for years, worse with stress. They can’t fully control it. This is the kind of pattern that might fit Tourette’s.
  • Teen B sees Tourette videos online and starts deliberately jerking their head and swearing as a bit. They can stop for long periods if they want. That is not Tourette’s, even if it looks similar; it’s voluntary copying.

If you’re struggling or feeling distressed

If your question comes from feeling:

  • “I want something to explain why I feel different.”
  • “I wish I had Tourette’s like people I see online.”
  • “I’m scared I might have Tourette’s and don’t know what to do.”

then it may really help to talk to:

  • A parent/carer or another trusted adult.
  • A school counselor, nurse, or mental health professional.
  • A doctor who can look at what’s going on and rule out other causes.

You deserve to be taken seriously whether you end up having Tourette’s, another condition, or just a lot of stress and worry right now. Important note: I can’t diagnose you or tell you exactly what you have, but I can help you think through what to ask a doctor or adult. Information here is based on public medical and Tourette‑support organization materials, but it is not a substitute for a professional evaluation.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.