By Naazi Morad⚜
When most people hear the word Tourette’s, they imagine uncontrollable shouting or swearing. In reality, that symptom — called coprolalia — affects only a small number of individuals. Tourette Syndrome (TS) and other tic disorders are far more complex, deeply human experiences that deserve compassion and understanding.
As a mental health practitioner, I often meet clients or parents who are anxious about sudden, repetitive movements or sounds they’ve noticed in themselves or their children. The truth is that tics can appear in many different ways — and learning about them is the first step to offering support.
💡 What Are Tics?
Tics are sudden, repetitive, involuntary movements or vocal sounds. They can be:
- Motor tics: blinking, head jerking, shoulder shrugging, facial grimacing.
- Vocal tics: throat clearing, humming, sniffing, or repeating sounds.
For a diagnosis of Tourette Syndrome, a person must have both motor and vocal tics that last for more than a year. Other tic disorders may involve only one type or appear temporarily during childhood.
🎐 What Causes Tourette Syndrome?
The exact cause isn’t fully understood, but research shows it’s related to differences in the brain’s communication pathways involving dopamine and serotonin — the same chemicals that influence movement, emotion, and attention.
Genetics can play a role too, meaning Tourette’s often runs in families.
Importantly, Tourette’s is not caused by parenting style, stress, or trauma — although these factors can make tics more noticeable or frequent.
💬 How Stress and Emotions Affect Tics
Many people notice that tics become more frequent when they’re anxious, tired, or under pressure. In therapy, we often explore stress management, self-acceptance, and emotional regulation, because when stress decreases, tics often settle down naturally.
Helping clients — especially children — understand that their body is not “misbehaving,” but simply reacting, can reduce shame and anxiety.
🌼 Supporting a Child or Adult with Tics
If you’re a parent, teacher, or loved one, here are some gentle ways to help:
- Stay calm and patient. Drawing attention to the tic usually makes it worse.
- Educate yourself and others. Explain that tics are involuntary — they are not done “on purpose.”
- Reduce stress and pressure. Encourage relaxation, adequate sleep, and balanced routines.
- Celebrate strengths. Many people with Tourette’s are creative,
