My Tourette’s and why I want to help you!

Posted 23hrs ago
by Ewan Mitchell

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My name is Ewan, I run my own business as a Sport’s Therapist, and I have Tourette’s.

I have only ever told a handful of people about the condition I have because of not wanting to be treated differently, however I am becoming more confident in telling others as time goes on.

I have always been interested in both the physical and psychological aspects of health, along with what is my main priority – helping other people. This is what has brought me to get involved with Tourettes Action, to share my experience’s and to help as many people as possible.

I was diagnosed with Tourette’s only within the last 2 years, which is important for me, as the first 22 years of my life were confusing as to why I had certain ‘habits’ and did certain actions out of impulse. Doctor’s put it down to anxiety, which coincides with Tourette’s among other conditions (ADHD, OCD), however I always remember feeling ‘different’.

I have always been very health conscious, both physically and mentally, and I started to identify patterns with my food, drink and physical activity in relation to what I knew as my habits (later to be highlighted as the better-known term tics). The more ultra-processed foods (UPF’s) I ate, the more my tics were adversely affected. The more alcohol I drank, the more my tics were adversely affected. The more I slacked on looking after my body physically, the more my tics were adversely affected.

Following on from being diagnosed, I have finally been able to dive a little bit deeper into the condition and the symptoms that go with it. I am grateful for not being diagnosed for the first 22 years of my life, as it forced me to find out what helps alleviate my tics. Since my diagnosis, I have learnt a great deal about myself and have been able to become more comfortable with the symptoms I experience.

This puts me in a position now to be able to help others that may be in the same confusing position as I was, and I am more than ready to help as many people as possible, educating those with a misconception of Tourette’s to give individuals the confidence to stand out and stand up.

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