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Living With Tourette Syndrome

When I was in elementary school, maybe 3rd grade, I was getting in trouble a lot; the teacher said I was always being disruptive like making noises in the classroom and what not. My mom took me to a neurologist who diagnosed me with Tourette Syndrome and prescribed me medication.

The medication completely turned me into a zombie. I was so tired and out of it. There was one day in class where I even fell asleep, for the first and only time. The medication was adjusted to better suit me.

Ever since I was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome, I began trying to hide my tics as best as I could when in public because I was embarrassed. Unfortunately, one day in my 4th grade music class, I had what I would call a “tic attack”; I could not control my tics, they were out of control. The music teacher kind of shamed me in front of the class and I started crying. I went to the nurse who called my mom who took me home.

In 5th grade, I took myself off of the medication because I didn’t like the side effects and haven’t been on any medication for my tics since. 

Throughout the years, I’ve still hidden my tics in public to the point where people would be surprised to learn that I even have any. I’m so embarrassed by them that I even hide them when in front of my mom, even though I know she would never ever make fun of me for it. She’s actually always been supportive of me and my journey with everything.

While I do my best to hide my tics in public, some do end up coming through. I’m not sure if anyone has even noticed, but if they have, they haven’t said anything. Even so, I still prefer not to let my tics out in front of others in fear of being made fun of or looked down upon.

A lot of people seem to think that Tourette’s is just cussing up a storm and saying weird things, but most people with tics don’t even have those symptoms – I know I don’t.  My tics include neck & shoulder twitches, eye twitches and sometimes lots of blinking, motor noises, etc. I would recommend to those without Tourette Syndrome to read up about it so they can educate themselves on the topic. For those with Tourette Syndrome, know that you are not alone and that there is support out there.