Tourette Syndrome: When Your Body Talks Without Asking You First

By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu

“Health is not just the absence of sickness; it is the presence of ease, even in the strangest corners of the body.”

In this part of the world, we often say “na person wey dey alive dey shake body.” But what if your body starts shaking all on its own, and will not stop, even when you beg it to?

That is not a village problem. That is not spirits or stubbornness.
That might be Tourette Syndrome, a real, medical condition that makes your body do things without your permission.

This is not about bad manners or attention-seeking. It is about the nervous system running its own program, skipping past your own intentions. Whether it is blinking, grunting, twitching, or even blurting out random words, Tourette Syndrome (TS) makes everyday life a bit more unpredictable, for both kids and adults.

Tourette Syndrome is a neurological condition that causes tics; sudden, repeated movements or sounds that a person can not control. It is like your body has a twitchy little drummer inside, banging out a rhythm you did not ask for.

These tics come in two main forms:

Motor tics: blinking, head jerks, shoulder shrugs.

Vocal tics: throat clearing, sniffing, grunting, or saying random words.

Dr. Ngozi Nwosu, a neurodevelopmental expert in Abuja, notes: “Tourette’s is not a spiritual matter. It is a matter of brain wiring, something medical, something real.”

There is a myth that people with TS always shout curse words. In truth, only about 1 in 10 people with Tourette’s experience that. The condition is far more diverse, and often misunderstood.

TS often begins between ages 5 and 10. Parents may notice odd habits; maybe a child keeps blinking, sniffing, or jerking their neck. At first, it seems like a phase. But when it sticks around for months or worsens under stress, it is time to look deeper.

Dr. Oliver Sacks, a famous British-American neurologist, once wrote:

“Tourette’s syndrome shows us the mind’s struggle to hold the body’s wild song.”

In Nigeria and some other parts of the world, some parents may rush from prayer houses to native doctors, trying to “cure” what they see as a spiritual disturbance. But all the child really needs is understanding, and sometimes a neurologist.

Other Conditions That Tag Along
Tourette’s rarely walks alone. Many people with TS also deal with:

ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)

OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)

Dr. Adewale Adetunji, a Lagos-based child psychiatrist, puts it plainly: “When culture misreads a condition, children suffer. We need more science and less suspicion.”

This misunderstanding often leads to stigma, punishment, and silence. Some kids are punished for tics they can not control. Some adults hide their symptoms in shame. Others drop out of school or avoid social spaces completely.

There is no complete cure for TS, but there is plenty of support available.

Behavioral therapy, especially CBIT (Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics), can help manage symptoms.

Medication may be prescribed for severe tics or co-occurring conditions.

Most importantly, supportive environments; homes, schools, and communities, make all the difference.

Having Tourette’s does not mean you can not succeed. People with TS have become doctors, musicians, comedians, athletes, you name it.

Living with TS is like driving a car with a bumpy engine. You might not always have a smooth ride, but you can still get to your destination, with style.

Tourette Syndrome is not a joke, a punishment, or a personality flaw. It is a real condition that needs real compassion. The earlier we understand it, the better we can help those living with it find peace and purpose.

As Dr. Temple Grandin famously said: “The world needs all kinds of minds.”
Tourette’s reminds us just how true that is.

Tourette Syndrome: When Your Body Talks Without Asking You First

“Health is not just the absence of sickness; it is the presence of ease, even in the strangest corners of the body.”

In this part of the world, we often say “na person wey dey alive dey shake body.” But what if your body starts shaking all on its own, and will not stop, even when you beg it to?

That is not a village problem. That is not spirits or stubbornness.
That might be Tourette Syndrome, a real, medical condition that makes your body do things without your permission.

This is not about bad manners or attention-seeking. It is about the nervous system running its own program, skipping past your own intentions. Whether it is blinking, grunting, twitching, or even blurting out random words, Tourette Syndrome (TS) makes everyday life a bit more unpredictable, for both kids and adults.

Tourette Syndrome is a neurological condition that causes tics; sudden, repeated movements or sounds that a person can not control. It is like your body has a twitchy little drummer inside, banging out a rhythm you did not ask for.

These tics come in two main forms:

Motor tics: blinking, head jerks, shoulder shrugs.

Vocal tics: throat clearing, sniffing, grunting, or saying random words.

Dr. Ngozi Nwosu, a neurodevelopmental expert in Abuja, notes: “Tourette’s is not a spiritual matter. It is a matter of brain wiring, something medical, something real.”

There is a myth that people with TS always shout curse words. In truth, only about 1 in 10 people with Tourette’s experience that. The condition is far more diverse, and often misunderstood.

TS often begins between ages 5 and 10. Parents may notice odd habits; maybe a child keeps blinking, sniffing, or jerking their neck. At first, it seems like a phase. But when it sticks around for months or worsens under stress, it is time to look deeper.

Dr. Oliver Sacks, a famous British-American neurologist, once wrote:

“Tourette’s syndrome shows us the mind’s struggle to hold the body’s wild song.”

In Nigeria and some other parts of the world, some parents may rush from prayer houses to native doctors, trying to “cure” what they see as a spiritual disturbance. But all the child really needs is understanding, and sometimes a neurologist.

Other Conditions That Tag Along
Tourette’s rarely walks alone. Many people with TS also deal with:

ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)

OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)

Dr. Adewale Adetunji, a Lagos-based child psychiatrist, puts it plainly: “When culture misreads a condition, children suffer. We need more science and less suspicion.”

This misunderstanding often leads to stigma, punishment, and silence. Some kids are punished for tics they can not control. Some adults hide their symptoms in shame. Others drop out of school or avoid social spaces completely.

There is no complete cure for TS, but there is plenty of support available.

Behavioral therapy, especially CBIT (Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics), can help manage symptoms.

Medication may be prescribed for severe tics or co-occurring conditions.

Most importantly, supportive environments; homes, schools, and communities, make all the difference.

Having Tourette’s does not mean you can not succeed. People with TS have become doctors, musicians, comedians, athletes, you name it.

Living with TS is like driving a car with a bumpy engine. You might not always have a smooth ride, but you can still get to your destination, with style.

Tourette Syndrome is not a joke, a punishment, or a personality flaw. It is a real condition that needs real compassion. The earlier we understand it, the better we can help those living with it find peace and purpose.

As Dr. Temple Grandin famously said: “The world needs all kinds of minds.”
Tourette’s reminds us just how true that is.

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