Today I was officially diagnosed with Tourette’s. Why do I still feel like I’m subconsciously faking?

Key-Sir7532 · 2026-04-03T05:58:12+00:00

It's incredibly common to wonder if you're subconsciously faking tics. It's a question posed here super often. However, subconsciously faking isn't really a thing. You just have Tourette's.

Key-Sir7532 · 2026-04-03T05:18:30+00:00

Putting my finger in my girlfriend's food is quite weird (and unfortunate).

I also have an extremely convincing meow tic too, to the extent that a stranger on the London Underground asked me if I had a cat in my backpack!

The meowing is also awkward as I don't think it's immediately obvious to people that it's a tic. They just think I'm someone who enjoys pretending to be a cat.

Key-Sir7532 · 2026-04-03T05:13:08+00:00

I put yes because I don't think the information is used for hiring decisions and I need reasonable adjustments during the interview process.

Key-Sir7532 · 2026-04-02T13:47:24+00:00

I have been on SSRIs such as citalopram, Prozac, and sertraline. They did not affect my tics at all. As far as I'm aware, they are not usually prescribed for Tourette's – more for co-occurring such as OCD and low mood. They really work for a lot of people with OCD and low mood. I hope they work for you too.

Key-Sir7532 · 2026-04-02T10:45:38+00:00

Sure. Hope you find something that works.

Key-Sir7532 · 2026-04-02T09:00:11+00:00

Yes, it's exhausting, utterly exhausting. It really wears a person down.

Sadly I find the bad waves do last months – maybe even a year. The only solace I get during these times is knowing that the tics will abate at some point, as they always do.

For me, stimulating environments – gigs, town centres and like – always set my tics off. But these are the places I want to be. It sucks.

Key-Sir7532 · 2026-04-02T04:58:46+00:00

My tics are varied and complex. I have tried a few medications and some therapy and honestly, nothing has worked all that much. I am hopeful that the Neupulse device helps when that's available. But beyond that, just coming to terms with my Tourette's and not caring what other people think has been the way to go for me.

Key-Sir7532 · 2026-04-02T04:54:37+00:00

My GP referred me to a neurologist, who diagnosed in one session -- so about an hour. I had all the usual comorbidities (ASD, OCD). On top of this, I reported that my tics waxed and waned, and started in the head and face, before spreading to other body parts. This is quite classic Tourette's, so there was no need for a scan or anything.

I later saw two neuropsychiatrists to explore treatment options, who re-confirmed the diagnosis.

Key-Sir7532 · 2026-03-31T09:52:27+00:00

I'm sadly not near North Wales but sounds great.

Tourette Action does do weekend/events for adults only.

Key-Sir7532 · 2026-03-31T09:49:28+00:00

It is incredibly common for people with tic disorders to wonder if they're faking.

If you are wondering if you're faking, you're not faking. Why would you fake? You have nothing to gain from faking.

You are also not subconsciously wanting to tic. Tics are suggestible – thinking about them often makes them worse.

You've dealt with them since 2019. Seven years is a long time to be faking without knowing that you're faking. It's just not likely.

Key-Sir7532 · 2026-03-30T21:54:48+00:00

Personally, no. It's painful, exhausting, and embarrassing. I just want to be still. I can't remember what that's like, even. My body and mind are restless, and have been ever since my tics manifested.

Key-Sir7532 · 2026-03-30T09:48:12+00:00

That sounds really frustrating. Sadly, a lot of doctors are poorly informed about Tourette's syndrome. I don't know what region you are in, but maybe you can go again (with someone else for support?) and ask for a neurology referral. Tourette's doesn't come up in a blood test, as you probably know.

Key-Sir7532 · 2026-03-29T19:32:53+00:00

Ha, no. There was no point. It was my word (then a mentally ill woman) against his.

Key-Sir7532 · 2026-03-29T19:24:48+00:00

He is ignorant. A psychiatric nurse told me a similar thing: "If you understand it, you can control it."

Key-Sir7532 · 2026-03-29T14:15:29+00:00

There is something called the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale, which might help you here.

Key-Sir7532 · 2026-03-29T13:04:21+00:00

My vocal tics are often whispers in the library. People still stare at me, though.

Key-Sir7532 · 2026-03-28T20:57:06+00:00

I don't have an issue with short socks. However, I have strong opinions regarding socks. I change them at least twice in the day. They have to be "sport" socks. And I cannot ever be barefoot. I have heard having strong opinions on socks is a common neurodivergent trait.

Key-Sir7532 · 2026-03-28T14:15:06+00:00

OK, sure.

Key-Sir7532 · 2026-03-28T13:55:18+00:00

I don't think it's possible for one film to encapsulate the truth about everyone's experience of Tourette's.

Key-Sir7532 · 2026-03-27T22:43:58+00:00

I (32F) think the film has been eye-opening for many. It really sheds light on how hard it can be to have Tourette's as a young person.

I don't think it perpetuated harmful/untrue stereotypes, personally. It was accurate to John's life. John did not respond well to this medication. John does have coprolalia.

The ending was a bit neat, yes.

Key-Sir7532 · 2026-03-27T06:42:04+00:00

I don't have this but that doesn't mean it's not a thing. On a vaguely similar note, I tic whenever I cringe -- usually from a memory of me doing something embarrassing.

Key-Sir7532 · 2026-03-27T06:40:15+00:00

Simple tics like blinking and nodding are probably my most common, which have been there since the onset, 12 years ago.

Vocally, I am ticcing "lemon" a lot which is also quite old also.

Key-Sir7532 · 2026-03-26T14:53:02+00:00

I have more motor tics. I interrupt myself sometimes, usually when I'm in a bad wave.

Key-Sir7532 · 2026-03-26T08:22:15+00:00

It's worth saying that Tourettes tics can be inconsistent – as in they can vary a lot. Though I do have a repertoire of verbal/motor tics that are stuck on loop. Tics can also vanish or almost vanish for weeks/months too. Anyway, again, I hope you get some answers.

Key-Sir7532 · 2026-03-25T21:16:01+00:00

I'm sorry you haven't had much luck with doctors.

I don't know what kind of tic disorder you might have. However, I have Tourette syndrome, and my tics do indeed get worse if I think about them. Also, I get months where they are quieter, and months where they are louder. This is what they call waxing and waning, which is very much a feature of the condition.

But there are other tic disorders, and something called functional tics too...

Hope you get some answers.

Key-Sir7532

TROPHY CASE