What is a key characteristic of Tourette Syndrome?

Tourette Syndrome is primarily characterized by the presence of persistent motor and phonic tics. These tics can vary in frequency and intensity but are an essential part of the diagnosis. Motor tics involve involuntary movements, such as blinking or head jerking, while phonic tics include involuntary sounds, such as throat clearing or vocalizations. The presence of these tics typically begins in childhood and can fluctuate over time. The key aspect of Tourette Syndrome is the combination of these motor and vocal tics, distinguishing it from other disorders that may involve different symptoms or presentations, such as mood disorders or anxiety conditions.

In contrast, other choices pertain to different psychological conditions: persistent depressive symptoms align more with mood disorders, history of anxiety disorders is characteristic of anxiety-related issues, and phobias of social situations are specific to social anxiety disorder. None of these choices encapsulate the defining features of Tourette Syndrome as effectively as the presence of tics does.