Tourette syndrome can cause major disruptions in a persons life.
But with the right treatment, support and acceptance, someone with TS can live a very fulfilled, successful life.
One of the most frustrating aspects of living with TS actually comes from the surrounding environment.
There is still a lot of stigma around the condition, most notably about it being a ‘swearing disease’.
More recently, sufferers have found a new wave of myths surrounding tics being contagious, as well as accusations of tics being faked.
Living with Tourette can be difficult, only made more difficult by accusations of faking it for social media, or having tics that don’t fit the swearing stereotype.
A normal life, and more
The CDC adds the following regarding living with Tourette:
It is true that some people with Tourette have difficulties throughout their lives. It is also true that many people with Tourette are very successful. They are often high achievers and find that their tics can become less severe or go away when they are concentrating on a task at hand. Many people also have fewer tics as they grow up. There are people with Tourette who are successful in all walks of life and they work in many areas, including the arts, medicine, sports, and other professions.
Many individuals with Tourette can be very creative, thinking outside the box, and finding tics subside when focusing on something they enjoy. This hyper-focus has led to very successful individuals, achieving great success.
Despite the setbacks, there are certainly factors that can not just help individuals live normal lives, but go beyond that.
Finding strengths, passions and areas of focus is of great benefit to someone with TS.
Increased awareness of how TS manifests would allow sufferers to live more fulfilled and accepted lives.
