Sensory phenomena

Sensory phenomena are general feelings, urges or bodily sensations.^[1] They are present in many conditions including autism spectrum disorders,^[2] epilepsy,^[3] neuropathy,^[4] obsessive–compulsive disorder,^[2] pain conditions,^[5][6] tardive syndromes,^[7] and tic disorders.^[8]

In tic disorders

Sensory phenomena are associated with Tourette syndrome and tic disorders, and defined as "uncomfortable feelings or sensations preceding tics that usually are relieved by the movement".^[9] The tics of Tourette's are temporarily suppressible and preceded by a premonitory urge^[10] which is similar to the need to sneeze or scratch an itch. Individuals describe the need to tic as the buildup of tension in a particular anatomical location,^[11] which they may consciously choose to release, or which is released involuntarily.^[8] The presence of sensory phenomena differentiates subjects with Tourette syndrome plus obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) from subjects with OCD alone,^[1] and may be an important measure for grouping patients along the OCD-Tourette's disorder spectrum.^[12]