Beating Tourettes For Good

I have decided to create this site after watching a re-run of Channel 4’s program “The Town That Caught Tourettes”.

My reason for doing this is simple: I’ve had this condition since I was about 9 years old – and I have, by and large, managed to conquer it. It took some years, lots of deep frustration, trial and error, confusion and discomfort to be sure. But it was also a journey of self-discovery.

I think I was “mostly” in control by the time I was about 12 and “fully” in control before I was 20. Had I known what I know now, I probably could have cut that time down to mere months.

Today, at 55, I still get the occasional – very mild – resurgence of these symptoms, but only when I’m very tired or stressed, or if I catch a flu; the tics then try to reassert themselves and can sometimes “sneak up on me” subconsciously. But I’m able to control them so well now that very few people outside of my closest family would ever realize that I have this problem. And I hardly ever do this consciously anymore.

In fact, I haven’t thought of this as “a problem” for years. My ultra busy life and career allow me little time for reflection on this, other than occasionally reading up on it or doing some loose research.

But yesterday when I saw this documentary – memories came flooding back. More than memories. While watching it, I felt strong urges to allow my own tics to come back out! I controlled them, but I did let a few slip out.

Also, when I watched the film, I remembered all the doctors, the hospital, the diagnoses, the family frustrations, my friends’ reactions – all of that which wound up shaping my life.

Above all, however, I was really shaken to see these young girls going through exactly what I went through.

Before I go any deeper into this, as well as share some of my experiences and methods for overcoming this condition, let me tell you up-front that I consider the vast majority of the opinions presented in the said program about the possible causes of this condition as wrong. Most, if not all of the treatments mentioned in this documentary, will most likely not result in progress which couldn’t otherwise be achieved by the afflicted person him- or herself.

So let me tell you right now that you CAN indeed “fix” this thing – if only enough to be able to control it and live a healthy, productive life without the stigma of “a freak”.

Today, I’m positive that I could have “cured” myself of this (i.e. gain total control over it) in much less time than it actually took me. Thinking back on this, I’d say I could have had this licked in a few months to a year – if only there was someone who could have advised me correctly.

This said, I’m actually grateful that things happened the way they did for me. The fact that I “cured myself” continues to be a source of private satisfaction and supressed pride for me, and there were also other benefits I experienced, whose rewards I continue reaping to this day.

I’m dedicating this site to all these girls I saw on “The Town That Caught Tourettes”, their families and friends, to all other Tourettes sufferers, as well as to any doctors and researchers who have an interest in this condition and want to view it with open minds. I hope my insights will provide you with tools to deal with this successfully – faster than you probably thought possible.

One disclaimer: I by no means claim to be any kind of an “authority” on this. I’ve only got these few lessons I’ve learned from decades of my own experience. Please take my advice in these pages for what it is: a personal account with no claims to being an “ultimate” solution.

This said, I believe firmly that this advice WILL help you if you apply it.

I still don’t know what causes Tourettes though I do have some ideas. But I can tell you with full certainty that if you are anything like I was – you can beat this thing with flying colors. Take heart!

Feel free to post your comments or questions. I’ll always do my best to answer quickly.