Tourettes In Society

    Tourette Syndrome is an extremely visible and audible disorder. Whether I'm flinging my arms around, jerking my knees backwards, or screeching like an owl it's impossible to disguise as anything other than what it is. I've always been a reasonably uninhibited person; however, as I've gotten older and my tics have grown in severity and frequency I've had to become even less inhibited. It's a long, daily struggle for those of us with who deal with this disorder.
    I don't get this so much anymore, but when I was younger and would go into stores I would be having shaking tics. I would go past a cashier, a greeter, or someone else who works in the store and they would ask if I was cold (sometimes this would occur in the middle of summer). In the beginning, I would just sort of laugh, embarrassed and nod my head. Then I got a little bolder and would occasionally say, "No, it's a tic. I have Tourette's." This statement of course meant nothing to them and was usually met with awkward silence. Lastly, I came to the stage I'm in now where if someone presents me with such a question, I answer with simple, blanket 'no.'
    One of the things I'm learning these days about having TS is that less is more. Further explanation is not always needed or required. One of the perks of being an adult with TS, is that people, particularly those in authority, have less of an annoying habit of calling you out on your tics or asking you to stop. I can't tell you how many times my mum had to go to bat for me and tell someone too ignorant to ask what was wrong, that her daughter had Tourette Sydrome and couldn't help the screaming tic she was dealing with at the time.
    When my tics and/or my sensory processing is out of wack, (i.e. light, sound, etc.) periodically I am called to rely on some sort of aide whether it be noise-canceling headphones, indoor shaded glasses, or something more obvious such as a rollator. The rollator is something new that I've added to my repertoire of aides that assists in not only supporting my body when jarring tics emerge, but also when a "fainting" or falling tic occurs. These aides are invaluable at times, but using them does take some getting used to.
    Sometimes suppressing tics is something those of us with TS are called upon to do. This can be due to too much stimulus, a strange environment, or just feeling generally self conscious. Unfortunately, holding our tics in is not only extremely difficult and stressful, but allows for co-morbid disorders to come more to the forefront (See: Post on Co-Morbids). Also, when we finally do decide to let our tics go, it can be likened to the eruption of Mt. St. Helena leaving destruction and pain in its wake.
    My environment is ever changing, so it's not always easy to just let it go. Sometimes tics are held in subconsciously which can have detrimental consequences. A person with TS has to be creative in learning when and how to express a tic. It's a process and not an instinct that requires the understanding and cooperation of those around you. Learning to understand one's body and the messages that are being sent it a vital and never-ending process.

Laugh Out Loud

                               So what tics do you have???

                                        Note: I do not own this photo. Borrowed from http://tourettestoucan.tumblr.com/post/52585477270/so-what-are-your-tics


    Ever have one of those laugh or cry moments? Tourette Syndrome can be frustrating, overwhelming, maddening, etc. but it can also be funny or silly. I've had people ask me this question soooo many times and I'm thinking: Where do I start? Do you want the manual? I love the above meme because it illustrates the answer to this question so perfectly. What I usually do when asked that sort of question is just rattle off the first dozen or so that come to mind.
    So the meme out there these days for all of us Touretters is Tourette's Toucan! Some of them are funny or awkward, some are just irritants that we experience, and mostly all of them are relatable. If you click on the link attached to the site name and click on "Memes only" in the bottom right hand corner, you can take a look at all of the ones posted so far, but for today I'm going to name a few moments of my own. If you don't have TS or don't know a whole lot about it, some of the memes may be confusing, so feel free to ask!
     I remember a time, not long after I was diagnosed, when I was lying on the couch having what's called a complex-motor tic. I was having a tic where my entire body was periodically jerking and shaking every which way. At one point I ticced so hard I fell off the couch laughing. Thinking back on it, the whole scene was kind of funny, but having those complex tics are not always fun, they can be downright aggravating and frustrating.
    In fact, I've had many moments where I break down and cry because my tics are so overwhelming and "in my face" that I don't feel like I can cope on my own. I hope that everyone out there has some sort of support group or confidante they can lean on and draw strength from when their own is waning. The important thing to remember is that those hard tic phases don't last and the cycle will calm down and change just like any other. Lastly, please remember one can always contact the Tourette Syndrome Association when at a loss for answers. This is why promoting awareness and understanding is so essential, so that in the future there will be more and more resources available to the TS population.

(I made this one myself) This has happened to me more times then I can count lol I used just automatically laugh and say , "Yeah!" but these days it's pretty much automatic to say no without any further explanation. lol

Blanket Hug

Good Morning,
    It's been a busy week - writing papers and putting together my career portfolio. When the stress piles up and tension is high, my tics get worse. Fatigue can be a big contributer to bad tic episodes. A few months back, I started having really bad shaking tics (a type of motor tic) through my whole body right before I was ready to go to sleep. I've always had to wind down for bed hours in advance, because that's how long it takes for my nervous system to calm down. For some reason, my usual routine wasn't doing the trick. So, I started my search.
    I had heard about this thing called a weighted blanket from that show Parenthood with the boy who has Aspergers. I learned that it was originally used for autistic children to quiet the nervous system. So, I consulted my physician and ordered one from Mosaic. I loved it from the start. It was comforting, like a hug, and actually helped to quiet my nervous system. The website explains the different disorders and why it is good for them. To this day, rarely does a night go by when I don't use my blanket.
    Another website to look at is SensaCalm. Both websites have other gadgets and helpful information as well. I encourage you to check them out, whether you have a neurological disorder, insomnia, anxiety, or just need something to help you wind down at the end of the day.
Peace!