I was diagnosed with Tourette’s as a child - AMA

[DottyDottyDotty]

Name changed for this but I’m now almost 30. I was also diagnosed with OCD.

Ask away

Why is it that people with Tourette's (well, those on TV - I don't know anyone personally), shout out swear words? Never any random "inoffensive" words.

By the way, I'm not offended; I just always wondered.

Hmm.. I think because once you learn what is/isn’t acceptable the brain knows that ‘fuck’ for example shouldn’t be shouted out loud but when you’ve got a “tic” it must be done.

I’ve never been a shouter. I’ve only ever met two others with Tourette’s and neither of them shouted stuff either.

I think they put those people on TV because it’s “entertaining” and gets the views

Do you still have it?

How does it affect your daily life?

@PatricksRum
Do you still have it?

Yes very much so but I hide it really well (which is the worse thing you can do really). Everyone thinks it eased off in my teens. I’m almost 30 now.

@mammmamia
How does it affect your daily life?

Tic wise I feel the overwhelming need to twitch my nose. I also have to slightly stretch my neck in a certain way (you wouldn’t even notice it’s that “slight”)

But as Tourette’s can present itself in many ways.. I do have real bad ocd that literally nobody knows about. I have to recheck I’ve shut the gate properly several times when leaving so that the dog doesn’t escape. I have a pot in my room that must be against a certain part of the wall. My little mirror has to be angled a certain way. Some days can be mentally exhausting

@RapunzelsRealMom I've seen plenty of cases on tv where the tics were as simple as the word biscuits or balloon

When I was a child I’d lie in bed looking as if I was having a seizure, it was that bad. I’d keep smacking my ribs, rolling my eyes, making odd sounds, trying to lift my body off the bed etc

I’d cry myself to sleep most nights mainly wishing to be “normal” and also out of exhaustion and because of the pain in my ribs

I've seen plenty of cases on tv where the tics were as simple as the word biscuits or balloon

Very true.
I know one person who’s vocal tic was to say “cool beans” all the time

Was there any event , an illness, accident or emotional stress that you feel started off the Tourettes, or was it always present ?
Have you learned to accept and love the Tourette's as a part of your unique self ?

Why is hiding it the worst thing you can do ?

@tenredthings
Was there any event , an illness, accident or emotional stress that you feel started off the Tourettes, or was it always present ?
Have you learned to accept and love the Tourette's as a part of your unique self ?

I don’t think so. I had a great childhood and loving parents and family. I just think it was/is a part of me... although I loved my childhood I look back and do feel sad for the child I was. I really suffered mentally due to the Tourette’s and wouldn’t wish it on anybody!

As for accepting it.. I don’t know really. I guess it’s just part of who I am and I’m used to the tics and the ocd side of it. I certainly don’t love it and would take a pill if it magically got rid of it! Speaking of which, I was offered medication as a child to help calm the tics but my parents refused.

Why is hiding it the worst thing you can do ?

It’s like an itch that you try to ignore. Eventually you end up scratching it anyway. So with a tic it doesn’t matter what you do it builds up and you’ll end up doing the tic... only you’ve then stressed yourself out in the process of trying not to do it and so you end up doing it even more.

It’s a lot easier now I’m an adult but I remember as a youngster it was a lot harder to hold in tics and hide it.. I just couldn’t.

Have you considered having psychotherapy? I think I have mild Tourette’s and I think therapy can help me.