💬 Tourette’s: More Than Tics

Celine Dyer
Jun 7
2 min read

Understanding the Myths and Realities

When people hear “Tourette’s,” many jump straight to the stereotype of shouting or swearing uncontrollably. But the truth is, there’s so much more to Tourette’s than that — and the reality is often very different from what we see in the media.

As part of Tourette’s Awareness Day, we’re sharing some key facts to help break down common myths and promote understanding.

🔍 What Is Tourette’s Syndrome?

Tourette’s Syndrome is a neurological condition that causes a person to make involuntary movements or sounds called tics.

These can be:

Motor tics: like blinking, shrugging, or facial movements
Vocal tics: such as sniffing, throat clearing, or repeating words

It’s a condition that varies widely between individuals – and it’s often misunderstood.

❌ Myth: “Everyone with Tourette’s swears”

This is one of the most common and damaging misconceptions.

✅ Fact: Only around 1 in 10 people with Tourette’s experience coprolalia, which involves saying inappropriate words or phrases involuntarily. The majority do not swear at all.

This myth not only misrepresents the condition, but also fuels stigma and reduces understanding.

🤐 Can People with Tourette’s “Just Control It”?

It’s important to know that tics are involuntary. While some people can delay or mask their tics for short periods (especially in public), this often takes a huge physical and emotional toll.

Trying to suppress tics can lead to: