Managing vocal and physical tics isn’t the only challenge facing people with Tourette’s. Children may be at risk of bullying due to their behaviour being different. The majority of Tourette’s sufferers also have additional mental, behavioural or developmental conditions like ADHD or OCD. During bad periods of tics, people are prone to stress, anxiety and tiredness. Sudden involuntary movements like head jerking can be painful if the tic is particularly aggressive. Tourette’s syndrome can also lead to other problems like antisocial behaviour, sudden episodes of rage and inappropriate behaviour.

A lack of education surrounding the subject can leave people to draw their own conclusions as to why someone with Tourette’s might act a certain way in public. Common misconceptions include deliberate disruptive, disrespectful and antagonising behaviour. But things are improving. The condition has been at the centre of several recent TV shows, including Channel 4’s First Dates, The Undateables and The Mum Who Got Tourette’s.

Tourettes Action is a leading support and research charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland for Tourette’s Syndrome, offering expert advice and community help to people of all ages. To raise awareness, they have marked June as Tourette’s Awareness Month and are encouraging fundraising through participating in physical challenges. Any money donated will go toward researching new therapies and potential treatments.