TOURETTE’S WITHOUT LOVE
What was it like to grow up with Tourette syndrome before most people even knew what Tourette’s was?
For many people born between the 1970s and 1990s, tics were rarely recognised as signs of a neurological condition. They were often interpreted as bad habits, nervousness, misbehaviour or something that had to be stopped. Reprimands, punishment and pressure to remain still were common, while children and teenagers frequently learned to suppress or hide their tics in order to avoid attention.
In this episode, we look at how the perception of Tourette syndrome has changed over the decades. The condition itself has not suddenly become different, but the way society reacts to it certainly has. What was once ignored, punished or misunderstood gradually became recognised, discussed and eventually visible through associations, online communities and social media.
This change has brought important benefits. More people can now access information, receive a diagnosis and understand that tics are not simply a lack of discipline or self-control. Families have more resources, schools are more aware, and people with Tourette’s are increasingly able to explain their condition openly.
But greater awareness also raises another question: can protection sometimes go too far?
We reflect on the scars carried by adults who grew up when Tourette’s was poorly understood, including shame, family conflict, suppression and years spent trying not to be noticed. At the same time, we consider the risk of moving from one extreme to another. From expecting people with Tourette’s to simply “behave normally” to treating them as permanently fragile or incapable.
This episode is not about idealising the past. It is about understanding how attitudes have changed, what older generations experienced and why real acceptance should mean allowing people with Tourette’s to live ordinary, independent lives without shame, punishment or unnecessary limitations.