Sensory phenomena are general feelings, urges or bodily sensations.
[8] 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.