Tourette's Syndrome

[Kristen♡]

Let me just begin by saying that I do, in fact, have tourettes. I'm going to tell you a little bit about my tics. They aren't all that bad, but tourettes isn't fun. Usually I just grab the bridge of my nose, or make small noises. I just thought I'd post this thread because the other day in the chat, we were talking about tourettes, and someone(I won't say who) said they wished they had the disorder so that they could scream curse words in school without punishment. This bothered me because I have tourettes, and obviously know more about the disorder than this person does. I thought it would be a good idea to draw attention to this common misunderstanding. So for those of you who don't know, tourettes isn't all screaming and yelling. In fact, most cases of tourettes aren't even like that. The tics aren't necessarily involuntary, because we can control them. For some people it's harder, and I know my tics are very hard to control. The tics occur many times in a day, more so when I am nervous or not feeling great. I'm not going to talk much more about this, but I do have a story. For more information on tourettes, here are some websites that I found helpful when I was first diagnosed and there is also a short video on it- it's actually very cute.
http://tourette13.tripod.com/
http://www.tourettesyndrome.net/index.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDipNAuZuZI

So here's the story for you all. One day, a while ago, I was with a few kids. I was having trouble controlling my tics, and one boy noticed this, so when I went to grab the bridge of my nose, he grabbed my hand and held it down so I couldn't. Like I mentioned before, it's very hard for me to control my tics, and when you're being forced not to, it's a lot harder and puts a lot of stress on you. I started freaking out, and crying. It was very scary. I thought I was going to ... for a lack of better words, spontaneously combust. So there.. hopefully this gives you all some insight on Tourette's Disorder. Please don't make fun of anyone with it. And be understanding. We're just like any other person. This doesn't necessarily change our personality. We know that sometimes it can be annoying, and we don't really want to annoy you in any way, we just.. have to. Thanks for reading guys. Have a wonderful day/night.

[kingdomid94]

well done for tryin to keep ur tics under control and hank you for helpin me learn more about the disorder

[Kristen♡]

Thank you Connor, that does mean a lot, and you're welcome! Thank you for being so interested

[Imagine]

I've learned about tourettes before, and it does bother people how people make fun of it.
It's nice of you to post this Kristen.

[Briana]

I liked reading what you wrote as I have tics as well. I use to clear my throat constantly without being able to control it, but luckily it faded away after a year or two. But now it is back and it is so annoying. I clear my throat and I wiggle my nose. Which is annoying when people make fun of it. I was always made fun of and it does suck. Thank you for sharing this and spreading awareness on it. <3

[Kristen♡]

Thank you both for reading <3

[Thirteen]

Hey Kristen.

I actually know 2 people with Tourettes.
One of them, he does the swearing things, and gets fidgety, but mostly when frustrated. When he's in a normal mood, you can't tell theres anything wrong. At least, nothing I noticed.
The other fellow, however, he does the swearing thing, blurts inappropriate things, and I guess his other quirk is like, picking scabs or something. I don't know so well, my brother is his friend. In fact, his medications were changed, and it got him in lots of trouble because he kind of lost control of himself.

Its great you decided to talk about this and correct any negative stereotypes, instead of getting upset and causing a scene in the chat.

[Kristen♡]

Ugh, I know when I got my meds switched I went NUTS. I couldn't concentrate on anything but making noises

[Audacious]

When I went to work at a summer camp one girl in my friend's "group" had tics. Her teacher at school apparently sent her to the office for her facial tics because she thought that the girl was mocking her. It's kinda sad how people treat people with tourettes differently. I think it makes them that much more awesome. I know it would be really frustrating to be "twitching" all the time but I'd like to have it for like...a week just to be able to fully understand what it's like.

[Rainbow Dash]

My friend's cousin has tourettes and used to get bullied a lot for it I didn't know an awful lot about it before so I found this thread interesting Sad how some people treat people badly because of this.

[Kristen♡]

Yeah, you'd probably have a rough time getting used to it. my tics were kind of sudden, so I didn't know what to do, and I really didn't know what was wrong at first. It was very scary. I often wonder if I'd be treated differently if I didn't have tourettes. I bet I would.

Originally Posted by ForeverChanged

I'd like to have it for like...a week just to be able to fully understand what it's like.

Something like that has actually happened to me before. Like I said, I make small noises and my teacher once thought I was mimicking her so I was sent to another classroom. I had to politely explain to her after class that I have tourettes. She didn't believe me at first, either.

Originally Posted by Conspiracy.

My friend's cousin has tourettes and used to get bullied a lot for it I didn't know an awful lot about it before so I found this thread interesting Sad how some people treat people badly because of this.

[Fricky Ricky]

I don't have Tourette's Disorder, but I do have a tic disorder. I believe the way it works is because I don't have any vocal tics I don't have Tourette's.
I have to breathe and blink certain ways at random points in the day, I also roll my eyes. I can hide it pretty well, but sometimes it attracts more attention than I'd like it to
I think I basically just wanted to say, I know what it's like and I know what you're going through. And thanks for making this thread, it takes a lot of courage to speak out when you're misunderstood.

[✿ Orchidaceous]

Hey there.

This thread is really inspirational, Kristen. It must have taken an awful lot of strength to post it. You have given me a real insight into how it must feel to have Tourette's, the only knowledge I had of it was from Pete Bennett on Big Brother.

People often don't understand what it's like to live with a disability if they have never had to deal with a disability. It is difficult for them to comprehend how you deal with your tics, and even what they are and what is causing them. It's great of you to speak out like this, and when people don't understand, explain it to them how you have to us.

Take care,
Marie.

P.S You don't annoy me.

[ShAtTerEd HeaRt]

thats Toatally true with all that you said. I, for a fact, may have a form of Tourettes disorder myself, and i can tell you right now i wud never wish it on anybody ever. im miserable all the time. ive had this problem for 10 months now, and its toatally takin over my life completly. i cant walk, talk, look up at the sky, think, nothing. i cant do any of that properly like i used to. i cant enjoy life that much anymore either. im trying to stop this. but i just cant. everyday i always wanna cry cuz i miss out on so much and my friends make fun of me and call me name and its like they know everything about my twitching. like when i say im in pain they just say "yeah right" and "your not in pain" and "your shoulder isnt unjured" but im in so much pain everyday and my mom doesnt even give a crap about it she just tells me its all my fault and im destroying my own family for it. and she laughs at me at times too.
so thank you, for telling people this, becuz really, YOU DO NOT WANT IT. I CANT EVEN ENJOY LIFE ANYMORE WITH THIS PROBLEM. SO WHOEVER SAID THEY WANT TOURETTES YOU SO DO NOT. BECUZ YOU WUD PROBABLY BE FEELING LIKE ANY ONE ELSE DOES OR WUD WITH TOURETTES, ITS NOT FUN.

[Algernon]

I don't think I've ever met anyone with Tourettes? So it's kind of cool that you're on here to let us know the truth. =) I really hope that you're staying strong. And yeah, I'd never make fun of someone with Tourettes!

[MegaMadness]

Thanks for posting this Kristen. It gave me a great insight into people with Tourettes.

[DragonRider]

I can honestly say I thought Tourette's was the swearing thing before reading this post. It's a shame that so many people are ignorant of what it really is. I'm glad I came across this and thank you for posting it

[Cosmo]

I think it's great you're trying to educate people about Tourette's. There's a man in our town who has tourettes. He was on his bike, went through the square, and every few pedals, he would stand up on his bike and make a snorting noise. Everybody was laughing, but I just felt sorry for him.
I hope with time you'll get better at controlling the tics, as it's obviously hard for you.

Thanks ♥

[Kristen♡]

Thanks for reading guys.

[Singing to the starlight]

This thread is a nice idea. Glad you made it

[Kristen♡]

Originally Posted by Sitting on the speaker

This thread is a nice idea. Glad you made it

Thanks, love <3

[Sidhe.]

Thanks for sharing.
I've met one person with Tourette's, and his only tic is making small noises. At first (years ago, before I knew he had Tourette's), I would get annoyed when he made them, because I thought he was just doing it for attention or something. But then when I found out why he did it, I stopped getting annoyed by it.
The good thing is, this guy doesn't get picked on or anything for it, which is surprising because my school's not the most tolerant.
It frustrates me when I see, or hear about, kids in class who shout out, disrupt the lesson, swear, etc, and when they're about to get in trouble, they say 'Oh, I have Tourette's.' To me that's just unfair to those who actually have the disorder.
Anyways, that's just what I think.
Again, thanks for sharing.
= ]

[NightmareVisions]

I have it too. My tics are blinking, making noises, neck jolting & throat clearing. \:

[ThatpersonIusedtobe]

I watched a documentary about tourettes days before, and I really admire the people who live with it. Just want to let you know that you are a very strong person, and thanks for posting. I think more and more people should have better understanding about this.

[Crazy_Achava_lovesmusic]

I think that it is great that you have posted this as it is commonly misunderstood. One of my older cousin's friends has it, he is a sweet kid but has his quirks, but it doesn't make him very different, just that(in his case) you had to close the door quickly after he left cause he had to have the last touch... Which is odd but so is everyone else!
I have PDD-NOS, GAD and weird random OCD things so I completely understand the ticks and having to do things a certain way and all that. My meds suddenly made me have a twitch and I was embarrassed as it lasted 2 months(maybe 3) and I thought everyone could see it. It was involentary, but I kinda know how you feel. You seem amazing and don't let it get you down
<3, Achava

[Kristen♡]

I loved this last bit Just had to point it out. Thank you mucho <3 It really does mean a lot.

Originally Posted by Crazy_Achava_lovesmusic

You seem amazing and don't let it get you down
<3, Achava

[Jacey]

I hope you guys get it evened out for you, im really glad you shared this your very strong thank you

[Kristen♡]

I'd just like to say I'm LOVING all the comments on this!
It's great you guys are so interested. I get excited whenever I see another reply
Soooo, keep it going! This is great <3 Thanks guys.