Paper Moon#tourette is a condition where your brain is wired in such a way where you are compelled to twitch or shout something. It doesn't have to be swearing, Idk why people think it always has to be swearing - it doesn't. Imagine you have an itch that you must absolutely scratch -this is what it feels like, you just have to do it, your brain is wired that way. It's just the way you function, it's not a defect, it's just how you function. All you want is people to accept it, that's all. @TheBreadmonkey
In the olden days my grandad, who was a paramedic, would tell me just not to do it. My mum would want to stuff me with Temasepam 'just to calm me down'. All I wanted was to be accepted because seriously, this is how my brain is wired and there is nothing I can do about it. I just want to be accepted and be left alone.
There is a very good Indian film called Hichki (Twitches) about this. I recommend that you watch it.
BenPower to you. My eldest has FND which presents similarly - seizures, locked hands, physical and vocal tics (has had some swearing, which has been interesting). I welcome more visibility as it's obviously been very stressful and difficult for her to live with. I will continue to spread the word and hope information and acceptance from others help reduce the anxiety which often makes these things so much worse. ❤️
@TheBreadmonkey I swear too but, interestingly, only when I am at home alone. I never do it in front of people. When my mother visits, I meow.
Дими́трий'it's a function, not a character flaw.' is a mantra my therapist and I came up with one session.
it helps me mitigate my inner critic.
@saltywizard @TheBreadmonkey I am tired of my inner critic. I accept myself, that's all.
I'm getting there
@saltywizard @TheBreadmonkey It's a journey, it can take a while.
@saltywizard @TheBreadmonkey it's a journey and you are not alone in that. It's a very unique journey and not many people get to travel it either. That movie I mentioned, I was really inspired by how comfortable the main character was with her journey.
I'll check it out for sure.
Negative12DollarBill@TazPoltorak @TheBreadmonkey It would seem from the recent awards-ceremony controversy that the person isn't selecting a word at random but choosing the most offensive word? That there's context to it?
Ailbhe@negative12dollarbill @TazPoltorak @TheBreadmonkey I wonder if a lifetime of being in trouble for involuntary vocalisations puts the worst ones at the front of the list, like intrusive thoughts?
@Ailbhe @negative12dollarbill @TheBreadmonkey I think you unconsciusly choose your ticks and vocalisations. You first do it almost consciusly and later it becomes automatic. With time, I have changed mine to what I deem more socially acceptable, like a cough. My job is to stand in front of a bunch of directors and tell them how their business is doing, while they argue that I am wrong. Very triggering :) So I cough.
@TazPoltorak @negative12dollarbill @TheBreadmonkey I think it varies quite a lot. A lot of people find their own vocalisations extremely upsetting.
@Ailbhe @negative12dollarbill @TheBreadmonkey I think, this is because other people condition you to feel that it is weird. I personally also think that fuck those people.
@TazPoltorak @negative12dollarbill @TheBreadmonkey that's what I'm wondering -- for people whose Tourettes has a strong coprolalia component, does cumulative trauma make it worse?
@Ailbhe @negative12dollarbill @TheBreadmonkey I swear a bit, but only when I am on my own, and it's typically when it's quiet, or when watching tv. I can't identify any triggers for it, it's as if something just comes over me, tension builds up inside and swearing releases it. It's usually a well structured sentence, not just a word. It first started when I was in my twenties and shared a house with people who swore a lot in regular speech.