Repetitive movements and behaviors in neurological and psychiatric practice: Distinctions and similarities between Tourette disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Repetitive movements are the hallmark of chronic tic disorders such as Tourette disorder (TD), whereas repetitive behaviors are characteristic of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Both disorders tend to frequently co-occur, as a substantial number of patients with TD also suffer from OCD and vice versa. While the clinical distinction between tics and OCD is usually easy, there are borderline forms, and correct symptom recognition is vital for choosing the appropriate treatment modalities for each disorder, be they pharmacological, psychotherapeutic (behavioral therapy) or brain stimulation (deep brain stimulation, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation).