Starting in China, in 2020, COVID-19 spread all over the world, affecting the mental health of billions of people. Tourette syndrome (TS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder defined by multiple motor and at least one phonic tic. Around half of the patients with tics reported an exacerbation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Comorbidity with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and/or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is as high as 90% in TS and exacerbates the clinical expression. Contextual changes such as those imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g., fear, disruption of routines, and isolation) also affect tic severity. Studies show that both comorbidities and socioeconomic factors influenced the clinical course of tics during the pandemic. In Portugal, a perceived increase in tics and related manifestations, including functional tics, raised the attention of social media (e.g., Revista Sábado, October 31st, 2021, and Jornal Observador, November 21st, 2021). The Portuguese TS Association reported an increasing call for help from families and individuals with TS, which created the need for further research.

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