Despite how far we’ve come in medicine and representation of chronic conditions, many disorders are still not well understood, including nervous system disorders, like Tourette syndrome (TS).
TS, also characterized as a tic disorder, is typically diagnosed in childhood and is often characterized by involuntary sounds and movements called tics. Tics can appear as sudden blinking, jerking of the head, jumping, grunting, whistling, animal sounds, clicking the tongue, and in some cases, swearing.
Research shows that persistent tic disorders (including Tourette syndrome) may affect about 1.4 million people in the US. Recently celebrities like Lewis Capaldi have brought more attention to the condition by opening up about their experience with TS, which has helped destigmatize the disorder and increase representation.
Capaldi isn’t the only celeb to speak out about TS, though. Billie Eilish, Seth Rogan, and many other celebs have also been open about their experiences with the disorder. While much is still to be learned about Tourette syndrome, these celebs are using their platforms to bring more attention to the disorder. Check out the stars giving people a voice to their experiences.
