Tweek Tweak is a character from the animated show South Park. There is no mention of Tourette in his bio, although some have speculated due to twitches and tic-like behaviour.
Tweek is 9-10 years old according to South Park Fandom, which puts him at the age in which Tourette is often observed and diagnosed. It is well known that he suffers from ‘twitches’, without a definitive cause.
"He twitches similar to Rebecca Cotswolds or Thomas, which is likely caused by all of the coffee he drinks. Craig Tucker, as shown in "Tweek x Craig", can calm him down and stop him twitching - briefly."
Are these twitches caused by Tourette syndrome?
There is no mention of tic disorders in Tweek’s character bio, or in episodes.
In the disability section of his character bio however, more information is provided:
"According to his parents, Tweek suffers from Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)... Whenever they think he needs to calm down, they just give him more coffee."
Attention Deficit Disorder is a disorder commonly co-occurring with Tourette, a reason why many suggest he has it.
It becomes apparent that the twitching we observe comes from caffeine intake, and anxiety.
The difference between 'twitches' and tics
Although similar in appearance, twitches are entirely involuntary, without a pre-monitory urge or build up of pressure to carry them out.
Webmd states the difference as:
‘Unlike tics, the majority of muscle twitches are isolated occurrences, not repeated actions. Muscle twitches are also known as myoclonic jerks. They are entirely involuntary and cannot be controlled or suppressed.’
Some people with tic disorders do not experience a pre-monitory urge (like an itch) to carry out a tic, but twitches are down to completely different processes.
Tweek Tweak does not have Tourette syndrome
Tweek’s behaviours are down to anxiety, ADD and caffeine intake.
These cause sudden movements, anxiety attacks and seemingly irrational behaviours, but this is not down to Tourette syndrome.
Similar behaviours can be experienced with Tourette syndrome, often coming from the co-occurring conditions such as ADHD and anxiety disorders.
Despite not having Tourette, Tweek suffers from conditions that are shared by many in the Tourette community.