Living with Tourette Syndrome

Tourette Syndrome (Tourette’s) is often misunderstood—and misrepresented. Whether you’re living with tics, wondering if they might be part of your experience, or supporting someone who is, you may have felt overwhelmed, isolated, or unsure of what to do next. The truth is: life with Tourette’s can be manageable. And not just manageable—but meaningful, connected, and full of hope.

This post blends practical answers with compassionate reflection—offering a grounding space for those living with Tourette’s, those who suspect they might be, and those wanting to understand it better.

What Is Tourette Syndrome—and Does It Fall Under Neurodiversity?

Tourette Syndrome is a neurological condition characterized by involuntary motor and vocal tics. These tics can be subtle or disruptive, change over time, and often show up in childhood. While some people outgrow them, others live with tics into adulthood.

Tourette’s falls under the neurodiversity umbrella, which includes ADHD, autism, OCD, dyslexia, and more. Neurodiversity reframes these conditions not as problems to be fixed, but as natural variations in how human brains function. 

If you’re someone living with Tourette’s or suspect you might be neurodivergent, this framework can be powerful—it makes space for your full humanity, not just your symptoms.

What Does It Feel Like to Have Tourette’s?

Tourette’s can look different for everyone, but at its core, it usually involves repetitive movements or sounds called tics that a person can’t easily control. Some people describe the feeling as a build-up of pressure—like needing to sneeze or itch—that only goes away once the tic happens.

If you have Tourette’s, your day might include:

• Motor tics, like blinking, shoulder shrugging, jerking your head, or making facial expressions

• Vocal tics, like throat clearing, sniffing, humming, or saying words or phrases

• Feeling like you have to do something—even if you try to hold it back

• Tics getting worse with stress, excitement, or tiredness

• Sometimes being able to suppress a tic for a little while, but feeling more pressure the longer you do

Living with Tourette’s can be exhausting, especially if you feel the need to hide or control your tics in public. You might worry about being misunderstood or stared at. But it’s important to know: you are not doing this for attention. Your brain is wired differently, and that’s not something to be ashamed of.

If you're reading this and thinking, “Wow, this sounds like me,” you’re not alone. Reaching out for support is a strong and empowering step.

How Therapy Can Help with Tourette’s

Mental health counseling can be a lifeline—but only when it’s neurodiversity-affirming. That means therapy that isn’t focused on “fixing” you, but instead supports you in understanding yourself, developing emotional resilience, and coping with the challenges of living in a world that wasn’t built for your brain.

One of the most evidence-based approaches is CBIT (Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics). It focuses on tic awareness and building competing responses to reduce tic severity. But therapy can also include support for stress, anxiety, executive functioning, trauma, masking fatigue, and more.

If you're newly wondering whether you may have Tourette’s, therapy can offer you a safe place to explore that. A diagnosis can feel both overwhelming and relieving—and a good therapist will walk with you through both.

Best Treatments for Tourette’s

Treatment for Tourette’s can be multifaceted, depending on your specific symptoms and goals. Some people benefit from:

• CBIT

• Medication, especially if tics are severe or disruptive

• Talk therapy, for emotional regulation and self-esteem

• Occupational or school-based support

• Community support, like peer groups or online forums

And for some, the most helpful “treatment” isn’t treatment at all—it’s acceptance from themselves and others.

Are Tourette’s and ADHD Linked?

Yes, and quite often. A large percentage of people with Tourette’s also have ADHD, and some also experience OCD or anxiety. These overlapping neurodivergences can make it hard to know what’s “what”—but a skilled provider can help untangle these threads and build a plan that supports your whole self.

If you’re someone who relates to both the impulsivity of ADHD and the presence of tics, you’re not too much—you’re a multidimensional human, and your experience is valid.

What Gets Mistaken for Tourette’s?

Tourette Syndrome involves both motor tics (like blinking or shoulder shrugging) and vocal tics (like throat clearing or sudden sounds), but several other conditions can look or feel similar—and are often confused with Tourette’s:

• Functional Tic-Like Behaviors: These are sudden movements or sounds that may look like tics but are typically triggered by stress, trauma, or social factors. They can appear more dramatic or complex than typical tics and may come on quickly, especially during adolescence or after exposure to tic-related content online.

• Persistent Motor or Vocal Tic Disorder: This diagnosis is similar to Tourette’s but involves only one type of tic—either motor or vocal, not both.

• Stereotypies: These are repetitive, rhythmic movements (like hand-flapping, rocking, or humming) often seen in autism or early childhood. Unlike tics, stereotypies are usually more predictable and can be soothing or intentional.

• Obsessive-Compulsive Behaviors (Compulsions): People with OCD may repeat words, movements, or rituals, but these are done to relieve anxiety or prevent something bad from happening—not because of an involuntary urge like in Tourette’s.

If you’re unsure what you're experiencing, that’s okay. You don’t need to sort it all out by yourself. A licensed professional can help explore your symptoms, provide a clear diagnosis, and support you in making sense of your experience—with understanding and without judgment.

Everyday Things Can Be Harmful to People with Tourette’s

People often unintentionally make life harder for those with Tourette’s. Here’s what’s unhelpful:

• Imitating or mocking tics, even jokingly

• Staring or drawing attention to someone in public

• Telling someone to "just stop" or control their tics

• Assuming Tourette’s means swearing (coprolalia is rare!)

What’s more helpful? Patience. Curiosity. Listening. Allowing people to be themselves without shame.

Why Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy Matters

Therapy that honors your identity as a neurodivergent person can help you rewrite your narrative. It’s not about erasing tics or becoming “normal”—it’s about building a life that works for you. That may mean reducing distress, creating more self-trust, and surrounding yourself with people who see your worth clearly.

If you’re still wondering, “Could I have Tourette’s?”—therapy can be a place to gently explore that without fear or pressure. And if you already know you do, therapy can help you feel grounded and supported in the truth of who you are.

Final Thoughts: You Deserve Relief, Support, and Self-Compassion

Living with Tourette Syndrome can be difficult, especially in a world that doesn’t always understand. But your life is not broken. You are not too much. You are not alone.

Whether you’re navigating a diagnosis, supporting someone who is, or learning more about neurodiversity, remember: life can be manageable—and even beautiful—when it’s lived authentically, with the right care and understanding.

References and Further Reading:

Child Mind Institute. (n.d.). Tics and Tourette's: What you need to know. Retrieved from https://childmind.org/topics/tics-tourettes/

Tourette Association of America. (n.d.). What is TS? Retrieved from https://tourette.org/about-tourette/overview/what-is-tourette/