Tourette OCD Alberta Network

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Tourette Syndrome (TS) are often seen together, much more frequently than you'd expect by chance. It's like they're cousins in the same "neurological family." This connection is thought to be partly due to shared genetic factors; while no single "OCD gene" or "Tourette gene" has been found, research suggests that certain genetic predispositions can increase a person's risk for developing either or both conditions.

Beyond genetics, they also share similarities in how they appear, which is called their phenomenology. For example, some people with OCD experience compulsions that feel very much like tics, such as needing to touch things a certain number of times until it feels "just right," or repeating actions to relieve an internal feeling of discomfort rather than to prevent a feared outcome. These "tic-like" compulsions can sometimes be hard to tell apart from actual tics, highlighting a blurry line between the two disorders. Understanding this strong link helps both individuals with these conditions and their families recognize that these symptoms are part of a broader picture and are often managed with similar approaches.