To the person who’s newly diagnosed or has just developed Tourette syndrome.
- Stand up for yourself when someone discriminates against you for your Tourette’s.
- Don’t listen to ignorant people who don’t understand, you know what it’s like to live with your condition, they don’t.
- It will get easier over time
- If a doctor doesn’t believe you have Tourette’s - get rid of them.
- If you are in school, college or university, get accommodations and support. You can get extra time on your exams, a separate room for exams, reduced timetable, a laptop to write on and more.
- If you believe you have a co- occurring condition such as OCD, ADHD, Anxiety, depression, Autism, dyslexia or anything else, get assessed if you can afford it, but you can self diagnose if needed.
- If you have difficulty finding work or if you need extra support, look into disability living allowance, PIP, or disabled students allowance (UK) or the benefits that you have in your country.
- You will probably experience self -doubt , there may be a little voice in your head telling you that your “faking it”, but you are not, many people with Tourette’s have this and if you are questioning whether you are faking it I can guarantee you are not.
- If you can, join a local support group, the friends and support you get are priceless.
- Read up on tic triggers on the ACN latitudes website , triggers can include certain foods, chemicals, emotions, sensory input, or medicines
- Talk with your doctor about any possible treatment options because everyone is different and you can find what works for you, whether its medication, CBIT or habit reversal training. You don’t have to treat your Tourette’s if you don’t want to.
-Embrace your Tourette’s , don’t be ashamed of it!
- Don’t let anyone make you feel like you have to suppress your tics. Suppression is not the answer.
- Join an online Tourette’s forum or support group, they have all the best information and they are an amazing way to get support.
- Stick to your dreams and life goals , don’t give up on them because of Tourette’s.
