Tourette’s syndrome is a condition that causes a person to make involuntary sounds & movements called tics. This condition is neurological & is caused by misfiring in the brain.
Tourette’s was given its name in 1885 by a man named Gilles De La Tourette who was a French Neurologist. He published an account of 9 patients with a “convulsive tic disorder”.
People with Tourette’s syndrome sometimes also suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or learning difficulties (NHS 2021).
People with Tourette’s Syndrome have a combination of vocal & physical tics.
Example of physical tics:
Example of verbal tics:
Swearing is rare & only affects about 1 in 10 people with Tourette’s syndrome.
There’s no cure for TS & people with a mild form of the condition do not need treatment for them. However, behavioural therapy & medicine may be recommended to help control severe or harmful tics.
2 types of behavioural therapy have been shown to reduce tics:
In recent years, people have become more open about the condition to decrease its stigma, with certain influencers dedicating their platform to raising awareness.
Evie Meg - She Speaks about her journey with TS, highlighting her harmful tics & bad seizures.
Willorie Wisp - She speaks about her story & diagnosis & posts videos of the reality of being student who has Tourette’s.
Jack Francis - He showcases everyday life with the condition, while emphasising how every day tasks can change with Tourette’s.
