Living with Tourette
Navigating social life is often one of the hardest feats for some with tic disorders. Who do I tell? Do I try and hide it? How open can I really be? Should I be ashamed? All of these questions and more go through the mind of someone living with a tic disorder. We want to answer some of these questions, not only to give a resource to those people, but also to educate others on what it’s like to live with a tic disorder.
Dating/friendships with a tic disorder
Being open with a partner or a friend about a tic disorder is very difficult. A fear of judgement and misunderstanding can inhibit openness about tic disorders within a relationship. Here is how you should navigate “getting it out of the way.”
Explain your tics when the happen
You may be able to tell when they notice. You can say, “that thing I do, it’s because I have a tic disorder.” Though it’s an important topic, keep it light, maybe even joke around about it, it’s nothing to be ashamed of.
Help them understand the complexities of your tics
Since everyones tics are unique, you should explain what your tics are and why the generally happen. Maybe you can say, “these are my tics… these are my triggers...” As you begin to feel more comfortable with your partner, be open about how it has effected you and how you’ve worked with it over time.
TAA’s resources
Our partner, TAA, has a plethora of resources that help those with tourette as well as educating others. Linked below is their resource page.