Neurodivergence
Tourette Syndrome
A neurological condition causing involuntary tics, movements or sounds, which can be suppressed briefly but at the cost of rising tension.
What it can feel like
- Motor tics such as blinking, shrugging, jerking
- Vocal tics such as throat clearing or sniffing
- A premonitory urge before a tic
- Tics changing over time in type and intensity
- Tiredness and self-consciousness from suppressing
Not everyone has every symptom, and you do not need a label to deserve support.
Things that help
Allow the tic where you can
Suppression is a short-term tool, not a lifestyle. Build spaces where you do not have to hold it in.
Learn about competing responses
A therapist can teach a movement that competes with the tic, reducing frequency without constant suppression.
Talk about it simply
A short, matter-of-fact explanation to people around you removes the pressure of managing their reactions.
Want to actually do these? Save them to your practices and tick them off as you go.
Add to my practicesWhen to reach for more support
See a GP or specialist if tics cause pain, interfere with daily life, or come with other conditions such as anxiety or ADHD.
Often looked at together
ADHD
A lifelong difference in attention regulation, impulse control and activity level, which affects how easy it is to start, sustain and finish things.
Autism
A lifelong developmental difference affecting sensory processing, communication and social understanding. Not an illness, but often accompanied by real distress in an unsuited environment.