Why Beyond The Tics exists
Our mission is to spread awareness of Tourette Syndrome and show that having TS is about much more than ticcing.
Hollywood turned Tourette Syndrome into a punchline: someone yelling profanities. That tic is called coprolalia, and it affects only about 10% of people with TS. The tics are the tip of the iceberg. We are here to break that stigma.
What people see is the tip of the iceberg. Underneath are sensory sensitivities, the mental load of managing tics, exhaustion, and the conditions that usually come along with TS. We started Beyond The Tics to show the whole person, not just the tics.
Rew and Leo are the two characters who carry most of our posts. Rew is a turtle and Leo is an otter, and both live with Tourette Syndrome. Together they cover what people actually wonder about: what tics feel like, what helps, what does not, and how to support those with TS.
What is Tourette Syndrome?
- A neurological condition defined by tics: sudden, repeated movements or sounds.
- Tics usually start in childhood, change over time, and often get better in adulthood.
- Tics are not a choice. Suppressing them takes effort and is tiring.
- Many people with TS also have ADHD, OCD, or anxiety. Support often needs to cover all of it.
- Coprolalia, the involuntary swearing tic Hollywood loves, affects only about 10% of people with Tourette Syndrome.
This is a plain-language overview, not medical advice. For diagnosis or treatment, talk with a clinician.