Things I Wish Somebody Had Told Me (and Especially My Peers) About Tourettes
Disclaimer: this is by no means a definitive list, nor does it apply to every case of tourettes, and it can also apply to other tic disorders.
It is actually very common to have other disorders alongside (Autism, ADHD, OCD)
Break away clasps on necklaces are your best friends (you can get magnetic ones to attach to any old necklace!)
You can have a swearing tic without Coprolalia (it can come from echolalia!)
NEVER EVER PROVOKE SOMEONES TICS
If you worry that youre faking it, youre probably not. People who fake for attention dont care if theyre faking or not.
Any crude thought can become a tic but this does not reflect truthfully on you or any other person who tics. It happens. It's okay.
Referring to tics makes them happen. A lot.
Saying "ha imagine if that was a tic" can make it a tic. Dont say this to people who tic.
Grabbing someone having a tic attack does not help. Always ask them what will help. Pay attention if they signal for you to shut up.
NEVER MIMIC ANYONES TICS. EVER.
It's okay to laugh at tics! So long as youre not laughing at the person who ticced. Either you laugh with them or not at all. If you're the one who ticced do whatever the damn you want.
Some people can go hours or even days without ticcing. Some people cant. It does not mean that the person is faking it.
NEVER SUPPRESS FOR OTHER PEOPLE
Suppressing is something a lot of us can do to varying degrees, but it is painful and it makes the tics so much worse when you stop.
On that note, NEVER ask someone to stop ticcing or ask them to suppress. EVER. I don't care if you have a baby and they are swearing like a sailor you have no right to ask someone to suppress.
A tic loop is when two thinks keep on setting one another off and you cannot stop it (for example, barking at a dog and the dog barks back. people with tics can put one another in tic loops as well)
Tics are just as physical as they are verbal.
Verbal tics are not always just one word. They can be, but they can also be grunts and breathing patterns, or if youre me then the whole chorus to Fergalicious.
If you feel a tic attack coming on remove all jewellery as fast as possible and set it aside if you are able to.
Sometimes you can feel tics coming on. Sometimes you cant. It varies.
This was just some stuff I wish I knew before my tics got dialled to 1000.
Feel free to add anything more if you like, whether its advice for other people who tic or for people who dont tic.
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