Tourettes, is it real? Is it a joke?

I ask the question, because it is one that I held...is it real or a joke or scam?

Lets first start with what it is.
This is how Hollywood 'sold' it(please excuse the language):

So according to this depiction, Tourettes is an inability to control ones verbal outbursts, leading to embarrassment and being an outcast.
In some ways this is correct, but I believe the depiction is a little insensitive.

What it in fact is is this: "Tourette syndrome (TS) is a neurological disorder characterized by repetitive, stereotyped, involuntary movements and vocalizations called tics."

These are usually a few motor tics (the need to do certain random movements like blink or shake your head), or vocal Tics (like whistling or humming).

Essentially it is like an itch....that builds until the person that suffers from the disorder HAS TO satisfy the Tic by performing the action that would 'scratch' it.
They all feel that should they try to ignore it or squash it, then the urge builds uncomfortably to the point where it consumes them and then they react even worse.

So yes there is a level of control which varies from a few minutes to a few hours at a time, but that doesn't remove the Tic from the sufferer of the disorder.

It is also linked to stress or tension within the individual, and the more stressed they are the worse the Tics become. When relaxed and at ease those symptoms ease out of their systems.

These can also start from as early as 2 years of age or as late as the age of 21, and will last a lifetime. It also doesn't affect the mortality of the sufferers, and they can live a healthy normal lifespan.

Because this is personal to the sufferer of the disorder, there are millions of ways this can manifest itself, but here are some of the most common Tics that they exhibit (from www.tourette.org.au).

SIMPLE

• Motor - eye blinking, head jerking, shoulder shrugging, facial grimacing, nose twitching
• Vocal - throat clearing, barking noises, squealing, grunting, gulping, sniffing, tongue clicking

COMPLEX

• Motor - jumping, touching other people and things, twirling about, repetitive movements of the torso or limbs, pulling at clothing and self-injurious actions including hitting or biting oneself
• Vocal - uttering words or phrases, coprolalia (the involuntary utterance of inappropriate or obscene words), echoalia (repeating a sound, word or phrase just heard) or palilalia(repeating one’s own words)

This happens in less than 1% of children and adults worldwide.

Honestly from my side I used to think it was created or perpetuated for attention, but after looking into it I no longer believe that, and feel a little guilty for having those thoughts.
It cant be easy to live with these compulsive disorders, ask my wife who is compelled to have an organised and clean home LOL!!
But seriously, I feel bad for having my personal blinkers on, and not trying to understand.

So I have learned by looking into this, and have come out the other side with more empathy for these people.
How blessed are most of us, and how judgmental I was towards things that I didn't understand....typical reaction, but frustrating to me.

I hope this post has helped others with the same journey to understanding and acceptance that came to me.

Cheers all

[Image and content credit is buddy-project.org, YouTube, tourette.org.au]