Conversation Starters, Features, Health and Wellness
Tourette Syndrome Awareness Is Becoming Part of the Cultural Conversation—Here’s Why That Shift Matters Now
This year’s BAFTAs, back in February, were anything but forgettable. It will be remembered for the winners and the snubs, but also for a moment of uncomfortable vocal disturbances.
If you haven’t seen it, the talk that night took place during the Best Visual Effects presentation. Actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo from “Sinners” were on stage when attendees and viewers at home heard unexpected outbursts in the audience—racial slurs to be exact. However, Michael and Delroy maintained their composure and continued presenting gracefully.
The outbursts came from John Davidson, the real-life inspiration for the BAFTA-nominated film “I Swear.” The movie, which was released on April 24th, documents John’s life in Scotland with Tourette Syndrome.
What is Tourette Syndrome?
Tourette Syndrome (TS), according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, is “a neurological disorder that may cause sudden, unwanted and uncontrolled rapid and repeated movements or vocal sounds called tics.”
TS often begins in childhood and can present with both vocal and motor tics. These tics can be categorized as either simple or complex. The CDC explains that “Simple tics involve just a few parts of the body… Complex tics usually involve several different parts of the body and can have a pattern.”
Simple motor or vocal tics may include blinking, shoulder shrugs, humming, throat clearing or slight jerking. Complex tics, on the other hand, may involve shouting words or phrases, repeating actions or performing a series of physical movements in a specific order.
There’s no single medical test used to diagnose TS. Typically, doctors and pediatric specialists evaluate a person’s medical history and determine whether the tics have been present consistently over time.
Breaking Misconceptions
There are many misconceptions surrounding TS. One of the biggest ones is that every person with the condition shouts offensive language uncontrollably. It’s only a minority that experiences the outbursts of obscene words, also known as coprolalia.
Another misconception is that they are doing it for attention and laughs. People who live with TS are like everyone else. They have emotions, insecurities, strengths and weaknesses. What they have is something that can’t go away.
What happened at the BAFTAs may have been uncomfortable for those who are not familiar with the disorder, but it is the reality for many people who live with TS.
Social Media Influencers
Baylen Dupree-Dooley is a well-known advocate for Tourette syndrome. She first gained popularity on TikTok through humorous and educational videos about her life with TS. Her growing platform later led to the TLC reality series “Baylen Out Loud,” which offers a behind-the-scenes look at school, friends, relationships, and family life as she navigates Tourette syndrome. “Tics are not thoughts. They are not opinions. They are not secret beliefs hiding underneath the surface,” she said.
The series provides viewers with a better understanding that TS is not something that defines a person, let alone limits them from living life to the fullest. It shows how people with Tourette Syndrome adapt and navigate the best way that they can.
Another public figure who has openly discussed living with TS is Billie Eilish. Throughout her popularity, she has been candid about her experiences with tics and the pressures to suppress them. Whether on “My Next Guest Needs No Introduction” on Netflix or “Good Hang with Amy Poehler” on Spotify, Billie has shared that she suppresses her TS to avoid making others uncomfortable. “What’s troubling about the way that people do not understand what Tourette’s is…when people are like ‘Are you okay?’” she said.
Get Informed
Moments like the interruption at this year’s BAFTAs may initially spark confusion and discomfort, but they can create an opportunity for greater knowledge and understanding. As May 15 through June 15 marks Tourette Awareness Month, it serves as a reminder that people who live with TS face far more than stereotypes. Instead of making assumptions, we could listen and learn without judgment.
“You can hold space for the harm of a word while also holding space for the reality of a disorder. Compassion doesn’t cancel accountability—but education matters.” —Baylen Dooley
Check out the Tourette Association of America’s website to learn more and find out how you can support.
Featured image credit: Netflix | InClub Magazine does not claim ownership of this image.
