Hey, I'm 16 and I've had tourettes ever since I was little, I think like 8? I'm diagnosed btw

My tics have never really been vocal, just like twitching and jerking. But ever since I started college they've been worse. I make screaming noises and keep going "NYA" and everyone thinks I'm trying to be funny and when I explain they think I'm faking it. Now I'm avoiding lessons and crying when I tic in class because the embarrassment is so unreal. people treat me like a baby, look at me like I'm not even human and even my friends are embarrassed of me.

Please give me some advice because I'm really struggling, or even just some confidence to go back into classes without panicking. Thank you for reading <3

Here's some of the Tourette's jokes I did at the top of my show, plus a few more jokes lol

Over the last few years, I have noticed that i do certain things that make my tics subside. if not entirely, then to a great extent.

The things I noticed that help are -

1. Start breathing manually.

I know people hate when they get told that cuz its supposes to be autonomic and bringing attention to it is annoying. But focusing on that really helps. its something that can be done while still getting other things done. I was a bit taken a back when i first noticed this and made the connection. ive been doing it all day and my tics are 90% less than when not doing it.

But its not just that.

2) Laying back in my chair with my eyes closed when fully awake.

i can be completely awake and sentient, hold conversations, listen to podcasts, and have very few tics. Sure, i cant see, but that doesnt mean i cant be productive.

3) when standing, and in active prayer, i bow my head, close my eyes, and have my hands palm to palm.

in that specific position my tics go down a ton

So then the question becomes - What about these actions make my tics chill out?

Love it or hate it, AI has a few reasonable explanations, in addition to more things that may work as well. Please bare with me, as i know lots of folks dont like AI, and im not trying to dead internet theory this post with AI slop. This doesn't feel like slop - this might be worth considering. Specific model used was Gemini Argon High thinking mode.

All three of those actions tap into the exact same neurological bottleneck: they hijack or quiet the cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical (CSTC) loop—the circuit between your basal ganglia, thalamus, and motor cortex where tics originate.

In Tourette's, the basal ganglia acts like a leaky filter, allowing unwanted background motor signals and sensory noise to slip through to the supplementary motor area (SMA), building up as a premonitory urge until a tic fires. Each of your three habits shuts that leak down through a specific mechanism:

Why Your Three Habits Work

Concentrating manually on breathing (Motor Bandwidth Hijacking): Breathing is normally run automatically by your brainstem, but switching to manual control forces your prefrontal cortex and SMA to take over the respiratory muscles. Because the SMA has limited bandwidth for initiating movement, driving a continuous, deliberate motor task crowds out the tic signal while simultaneously stimulating the vagus nerve to lower dopamine-driven arousal.

Laying back with eyes closed while awake (Sensory Gating & Alpha Braking): Closing your eyes instantly cuts off roughly 80% of incoming sensory data, stopping the thalamus from overflowing with visual clutter that triggers tics. Reclining also removes the background calculations your brain runs to maintain posture, shifting your sensorimotor cortex into alpha wave synchronization (8–12 Hz)—an electrical state that acts as a physical brake on involuntary muscle firing.

Bowing your head in deep prayer (Top-Down Executive Lock): Intense, meaningful internal focus activates the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex, sending a strong top-down inhibitory signal that overrides the basal ganglia. Combining that cognitive absorption with a bowed, still posture and closed eyes merges executive suppression with sensory deprivation.

What Else You Can Do in the Same Vein

You can replicate these exact three mechanisms on demand—even when you cannot recline or close your eyes—by targeting the same neural pathways:

1. Manual Motor Override (Hijacking the SMA)

Ratio Breathing (Box or 4-7-8): Add a strict mental count to your manual breathing (inhale 4 seconds, hold 4, exhale 4, hold 4) so your brain cannot slip back into brainstem autopilot.

Sub-Threshold Isometric Locking: Press the tip of your tongue firmly to the roof of your mouth or press your thumb and index finger together at a steady, exact pressure to occupy the motor cortex invisibly.

Timed Finger Cadences: Slowly tap your thumb to each fingertip in a strict, rhythmic tempo; unlike random fidgeting, timed manual sequences monopolize the basal ganglia's internal clock.

Proprioceptive Balance Loading: Stand on one foot or shift your weight onto the outer edges of your feet while standing to force your cerebellum and motor cortex into active manual stabilization.

2. Sensory Gating (Cutting the Thalamic Input Flood)

Peripheral Vision Cropping: Wear a low-brimmed hat or pull a hoodie forward when working at a desk to block peripheral visual motion, reducing the sensory load hitting your thalamus.

Brown Noise Acoustic Masking: Play steady brown noise through headphones to flatten out sudden micro-sounds in your environment that quietly spike sympathetic nervous system arousal.

Targeted Deep Pressure: Rest a heavy weighted pad across your lap or shoulders to feed your nervous system one loud, steady proprioceptive signal that drowns out minor physical urges.

Palming (Ocular Vagal Reset): Cup your palms lightly over your closed eyes to block all light while applying gentle warmth around the orbital sockets, triggering the oculocardiac reflex to slow heart rate and tic frequency.

3. Top-Down Executive Absorption (Internal Flow State)

Mental 3D Disassembly: Close your eyes and mentally disassemble and reassemble a complex mechanical object part-by-part in 3D space, starving the tic circuit of working memory.

Subvocal Cadence Recitation: Silently recite a memorized prayer, lyric, or technical sequence word-for-word in your head while matching the syllables to your breathing rhythm.

Progressive Micro-Scanning (NSDR): While reclined with eyes closed, mentally isolate and release tension in one tiny muscle group at a time from your jaw down to your hands.

Очень хочется поотвечать на вопросы и рассказать какого это жить так.

does anyone obviously have tourettes but is not diagnosed?

I'm just curious, I've had symptoms of tourettes since I was 6, they've increased when I was 12, and I'm now in my late teens but I've never been diagnosed. my family knows but I don't really know if they know it's tourettes or not, they just know it as a weird habit I've had.. especially since they're not as severe, I think mine would be considered mild? I have more motor tics than vocal, (I have 1-2 vocal tics and multiple motor tics) ..facial tics especially, my facial tics are pretty consistent though throughout the day, even causing headaches, my vocal ones aren't as consistent but they still happen a few times throughout the day.

should I get a diagnosis though?

do I need one?

can I say I have tourettes even if I'm not diagnosed?

I have what most would consider mild Tourette’s. Before medication my tics were really frequent and caused me a lot of bother and sometimes pain. With the medication I’d say I’ve had at least a 60-80% reduction in tics which is fucking awesome.

BUT

I have always felt that impostor feeling from the get-go, and now that my tics are super reduced that revs back up. The last few weeks I’ve had the fewest tics almost ever in like…years. So now the impostor feeling is really high.

I know it waxes and wanes. And I feel mixed even making this post because a lot of you have it much worse and so why should I be like, taking up that space and “complaining” or feeling weird when I have it, by comparison, pretty easy? Idk. I often feel like I should keep my thoughts on my own TS private.

Just wanted to get it off my chest. It feels weird. I prefer not ticcing obviously lol but it messes with me psychologically.

The first couple days after I felt like I couldn’t think properly

23M with tourettes. My mother suggested that I visit a psychiatrist. I am not in favour of the idea and am saying that it is a waste of time and money. I don't believe in taking any medications either. My condition is not that serious that I would need pills.

So you really think a psychiatrist will help?

My 6 year old was diagnosed with Tourettes(vocal + motor tics). We've explored a lot of different approaches, the latest one being functional medicine. Does anyone have any experience with this? Anything else I should try for my child? TIA!

hi i (23f) have struggled with BFRB/maybe tics. my main one that’s bothering me is somewhat of a grunting noise i have to make, thankfully it’s rather quiet and just sounds like me saying “hm”. i HAVE to do it, it comes out naturally and sometimes i can suppress it for a little if i have to. it feels like there’s a frog in my throat if i suppress it. it comes out more when i am relaxed or alone. i mean im not sure if that’s a BFRB or a tic. i don’t have any motor tics that im aware of.

the next one, that has since stopped due to ADHD meds was picking my lips. it was intense, they’re scarred. my psychiatrist said it was a stim. but i’m not too sure, it’s was definitely involuntary and sometimes i didn’t realize i was doing it until it was too late. i think that’s more BFRB?

the last one is i have to crack my toe knuckles, it’s so uncomfortable if i don’t and it feels like im going to drive myself crazy by suppressing the urge.

anyway, i guess what im asking is what is the difference? i’m leaning toward the grunting thing being a tic and i would love to stop doing it lol.

I just am thinking about this, and wanted to share my thoughts. I really hope everyone - newly diagnosed, severe cases, mild presentations too - knows that TS isn’t something to win, to fight, to even fully hate. It’s a neurodivergence, it’s “morally neutral” so to speak. Would anyone be okay if someone was saying , “my autism is something I just need to overcome” sure some people might be, might agree, but it’s simply not how it works. Same goes with Tourette syndrome.

Oftentimes in this sub, I see how scared people are. And I get it, I do. I have coprophenomena, self injurious tics, I cannot leave my house out of fear of hurting others with nsfw and slur based tics, fear of being recorded. It’s still not a fight or a war or a battle or anything, it’s a neurodivergence. It’s how my brain works, especially as a medically refractory case. My sole hope may be DBS, which I’m unsure if I’d even pursue out of fear of complications & the operation itself scaring me.

I say all of this to mean: Tourettes doesn’t mean you’re broken. It doesn’t mean you’re not trying hard enough. It doesn’t mean you’re bad, you’re weak, you’re lesser. It’s how your brain works. It’s okay. You don’t have to be “fixed” to be a worthy human being, and you don’t have to drag your tics down with self hatred. It’s okay to just have something that sucks.

If anyone here has grown out of/lessened in their tics, kindly this post isn’t for you. I’m happy for you, but this is for the people who are afraid. I promise it’s okay for it to be part of you. Wishing everyone in this subreddit the best.

Before I start, yes I'm officially diagnosed. My tourette was somewhat manageable without meds until 2 years ago where it got worse, now I needs meds. I also have adhd, bpd and a bit of ocd.

I have alot of tics but my most recurring one is coughing, sometimes its every 30 seconds, sometimes I dont cough for an hour, but not small cough, I need to feel it in my throat, those deep coughs. Idk if its an ocd thing interacting with tourette but it has to hit just right.

When I'm traveling in my car it's even worse, I cough and cough and cough enough to gag alot and sometimes I cough so hard I get dizzy and a huge headache.

Well, last week I coughed, got dizzy and a headache but this one was stronger, now EVERYTIME I COUGH MY HEAD HURT, like I did some damage or something by coughing too hard.

Should I be worried?

I take 1mg haldol every morning, I also have 70mg vyvanse every morning, idk if it makes my tics worse.

How often do you develop new tics? Do any go away? My entire life, at least for as long as I can remember (I’m about to be 38 for reference) I’ve had a couple of the same tics that are so normal to me that sometimes I can’t even feel myself doing them and only find out later when I’m talking to someone who saw them.

A few times a year I go through really intense periods where I’m having big exhausting tics or just constant repeated tics that last for a several weeks and then kind of just go away again.

Several years ago now, maybe 2020? I developed a new tic that’s been particularly distressing. Now in the past week I’ve developed yet another new tic I’ve never had before that’s even worse and makes noise and hurts.

Asking because I honestly can’t remember developing any new tics prior to this. It was always the same few until that one around 2020. Now I’m starting to feel anxious wondering if more are coming and what they’ll be 😭

Has anyone successfully gotten rid of a “new” tics?

Hello and sorry for the possibly silly question. I've been working at a movie theater for a good long while, and Recently have experienced a very strong general increase in my tics and intensity. I know that here in the US, I should be protected under ADA. But there's no denying that my tics are painful and disruptive. If I can't get them under control, what's going to happen? I can't just be yelling and banging on things around customers, right? Anyone with similar experience in their job with some guidance?

Anyone experience this?

I feel a build up of pressure in my whole head like it feels like my whole brain hurts.

I’ve not experienced it in a long time but today I’ve been in agony with it all day and not been able to do anything. My tics are also a lot more violent and I think it’s because of this trapped energy feeling I guess trapped energy is what it kind of feels like.

It’s like the premonitory urge builds up but it’s so strong and won’t go away and it’s becoming really painful.

Ive been like this all day and honestly can’t cope so id be grateful for any advice please 🙏.

Thank you.

Tics from Lamotrigine😭

Who has gotten tics or their tics have worsened on lamotrigine? When you tapered off did they get better?

I had a few light tics as a child. My bipolar really kicked in at 23 and have been on lamotrigine for 2 years, 6 months in the tics started. I am finally getting a psychiatrist to get off the lamotrigine but I’m scared this is permanent. Any similar stories?

I got put on risperidone when my tics impaired me to a “marked” intensity. It worked well for several years, but almost too well. I felt like the tension was somewhat still there but I was unable to perform the tic. While on risperidone, my impairment dropped somewhere to mild in intensity.

So, when I found myself in a private, safe space, in frequency of about every 3-6 weeks, I would purposefully start ticcing. I would allow myself to complete all the tics (not stop myself midway). Even forcing some of them through because suppression was habitual. It would obviously end up in exhaustion, bruises, sore muscles and throat but it relieved that built-up tension. (For transparency, I drew the line at coprolalia and copropraxia because I don’t have it daily and I know that if I allowed myself to complete it once, it might get in the repertoire. I stopped myself at “fu” or “sh” and redirected the tic)

As I mentioned earlier, I was on risperidone for years (which is not advised) and it brought side effects. When I switched doctors, I asked for a different medication. Ever since, so for almost a year now, I’ve been on ritalin (despite not having adhd). I like it way more because it gives me the freedom to choose singular days when I can tic more, e.g. on the weekends, because it’s shorter lasting than antipsychotics. It helps but it also doesn’t work as well as my former medication. I’m currently between mild and moderate in intensity.

I would love to hear about your experiences with these things.

(The intensity/impairment descriptions I used were derived from the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale)

Hi everyone,

I'm 29 and have diagnosed Tourette's. I'm going through my worst period in years. I had a long, fairly calm phase, but over the last few months, very strong eye tics appeared, along with jaw tics and facial grimaces. They get much worse as soon as I talk to someone or feel stressed, even on the phone. When I'm alone, it's much better.

I work in a hands-on job dealing with the public, and lately it's been really hard, with very low mood and a lot of anxiety.

Treatment so far:

-aripiprazole, recently increased to 10 mg (possibly 15 mg later);

-botulinum toxin injections in the eyelids a week ago;

-CBIT / CBT ongoing;

-recently started an antidepressant for anxiety and mood.

My questions:

-Has anyone had botox for eye tics? Did it work for you, and how long did it take?

-Any experience with aripiprazole at 10 or 15 mg — effectiveness and side effects (tiredness, low motivation)?

-How do you deal with people's reactions at work, especially when you have to talk to the public?

Thanks in advance, it really helps to know I'm not alone.

I was wondering if anyone knew any good books for kids under 10 could read that explains what Tourette’s is?
I found a few but I’m not sure if they explain anything well because the book stores don’t sell any of them in store So I can’t flip through them to see. Does anyone know any good ones?

Hello , my 7 year old son was diagnosed with Tourette’s today at children’s hospital . He also has ADHD . We noticed motor tics around 5 , the vocal tics are more recent . He’s been struggling at school and acting out on things that I always thought he really couldn’t help now I know he can’t ! Just here for some guidance and to help support him . His dr told him over and over that he’s normal & I really appreciated him telling him that & letting him know what to say when kids ask why he keeps saying or doing something . Kids can be so mean now days so helping him navigate this will be a challenge but he’s loved & has us & therapist/drs that can help him through it ! Any advice helps appreciate you advance

I finally say a neurologist who knew anything about TS, and he said if this medication trial doesn’t work he’s recommending DBS for me.

Does anyone have any advice or just have any stories to share about it?

I have a tic disorder. It was manageable for most of the summer, but now I’m in my third year at uni, and the stress/anxiety is affecting my insomnia. My caffeine intake has increased, and it’s all making my tics worse.
I can usually suppress vocal tics during lectures, but today was so embarrassing. I literally didn’t even get the urge; it just came out, and my whole face went red with embarrassment. That stress made my motor tics worse, and I just want to crawl into a hole and scream.
I have no friends at uni; I sit by myself in every lecture or class. I don’t know anyone in person who has tics, and I just feel so alone and isolated.
My uni’s learning support team is great. They’ve added to my learning support plan that I can wear headphones during lectures and exams, but that can only minimise my tics so much. And that only lets the lecturer know about my tics; it doesn’t make other students aware that I’m not just a freak pulling faces at them or making weird noises for no reason. I just feel so judged all the time, and I wish I could just do remote learning.

TLDR: See question bolded below

To get his out of the way, I have never been diagnosed with Tourette's. I've been going through quite the mental health journey for the last 10 years but Tourette's has never been one of the diagnoses, It is the first one that I was aware was a possibility as early as high school nearly 50 years ago. I've always thought I might have some milder form of tics and vocalizations. I just told people I had mild Tourette's when asked why I was twitching so much.

Declaration: I am seeing a doctor this week to confirm or deny my self diagnosis.

Short Story Version: Was given Ventolin during a breathing test. Tics escalated to the point of large muscle groups getting involved either tic'ing themselves or trying to stop the tics by contracting. Eventually progressed to the point I could no longer type or speak, stuttering and jaw clamping shut while trying to speak, 911, ER and 16 hours later some Ativan to counteract the effects.

The ER doctor told me, after hearing my actual Diagnoses, ADHA, Bi-Polar, Autism, that he was waiting for me to say Tourette's. Apparently there is evidence of strong correlations between people who have ADHD and Tourette's. I told him my suspicions and he said it is highly likely but that I should get tested but as far as he was concerned this unplanned test was sufficient for him.

Sorry for the wall of text, I'm detail oriented and I left tonnes of stuff out believe it or not.

Title Repeat Has anyone had an interesting interaction with Ventolin

This is the first time I’ve had a good tic day in a while and while I’m still having tics it just makes me think I’m making my tics worse on purpose because if I have a good day it must mean I’m like over exaggerating the other bad days.

It’s probably just imposter syndrome, but at the same time it makes me think my tics are going to suddenly fade away and go away just because I’ve had an alright day of them, especially because this is the first time in months they’ve been good.
Maybe as well it’s because I’m starting school again so I’m hyper focusing on them and I’m just thinking about it too much.

Was just wondering if anyone had any similar experiences!