Melanie Sykes has said she believes she has Tourette’s syndrome after researching the condition following her autism diagnosis.
The 52-year-old TV and radio presenter revealed in 2021 that she had been diagnosed with autism, describing the revelation as “life-affirming”.
She spoke to Alan Carr about her Tourette’s on his podcast Life’s A Beach, released on Monday (July 17).
In the interview, Carr confirmed she was able to swear on the podcast, to which she said: “Oh good, but I’ll try not to, because I’ve just discovered I have Tourette’s.
She explained: “I am wired a completely different way and I’m only just understanding it.
“Where I used to think, ‘What’s wrong with me?’ Now I know it’s everything that’s right with me.”
Other celebrities, including Lewis Capaldi and Billie Eilish, have opened up about living with Tourette’s.
Last month, Capaldi fans helped the Scottish singer finish his song at Glastonbury after he experienced ‘tics’ caused by Tourette’s syndrome.
Capaldi announced the following week, in a message posted on Instagram and Twitter, that he would be “taking a break from touring for the foreseeable future”.
Here’s a look at what Tourette’s syndrome is and what the symptoms are.
What is Tourette’s syndrome?
Tourette’s syndrome (also written as Tourette or its abbreviation TS) is a neurological condition that causes the sufferer to make involuntary movements or sounds, known as tics.
As Capaldi noted, the tics can become more obvious when the person is feeling extreme emotions, such as tiredness, stress, or nerves.
The tics usually begin to appear during childhood between the ages of two and 14 and often improve as people become adults.
What are symptoms of Tourette’s syndrome?
The severity and frequency of tics can vary widely among individuals with Tourette’s syndrome. Tics can be simple or complex. Examples of physical (motor) tics include, but are not limited to:
- blinking
- eye rolling
- grimacing
- shoulder shrugging
- jerking of the head or limbs
- jumping
- twirling
- touching objects and other people
There are also vocal tics, or involuntary noises, that include:
- grunting
- throat clearing
- whistling
- coughing
- tongue clicking
- animal sounds
- saying random words and phrases
- repeating a sound, word, or phrase
- swearing (rare, affecting roughly 10 per cent of people with Tourette’s)
Tics are not usually physically painful, although violent movements can be uncomfortable, such as sudden head jerking.
Symptoms of Tourette’s will often be worse on some days than others, particularly if the person is stressed or tired.
Most people experience what’s called a premonitory sensation before a tic, similar to the feeling before you sneeze or itch.
Some examples of these include a burning sensation in the eyes before blinking, a dry or sore throat before grunting, or an itchy joint before twitching.
Some people with Tourette’s can control their tics but this is usually tiring. After a longer period of controlling them, people may experience a period of increased tics, such as returning home from work or school.
Diagnosis usually comes after experiencing tics for several years, as there’s no distinct test for the condition.
In addition to tics, sufferers may experience other associated conditions. These include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety disorders, and learning disabilities. It is important to note that not everyone with Tourette’s syndrome will have these associated conditions.
What causes Tourette’s syndrome?
The exact cause of Tourette’s syndrome is unknown, but research suggests that it may involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors. It is believed to be related to abnormalities in certain brain regions and imbalances in neurotransmitters, which are chemicals that transmit signals in the brain.
Can Tourette’s syndrome be cured?
While there is no cure for Tourette’s syndrome, management focuses on reducing the impact of tics and improving quality of life. Treatment options can include medication to help control tics and associated conditions, behavioural therapy, and support from healthcare professionals, educators, and family members.
Further support for getting a diagnosis or seeking behavioural therapy for Tourette’s can be found via the NHS. For more information about treatment and support, you can also contact the charity Tourettes Action.
