Pop star Lewis Capaldi is raising awareness about his own struggle with Tourette’s syndrome amid an emotional announcement to fans cancelling all touring commitments.
Lewis says he is making this decision for the ‘foreseeable future’ to get his ‘mental and physical health in order’. The Scot performed at Glastonbury at the weekend and was hailed "brave" for battling through with voice issues and tics, as he was supported by the crowds.
In an Instagram message, the 26-year-old wrote: "I used to be able to enjoy every second of shows like this and I'd hoped 3 weeks away would sort me out. But the truth is I'm still learning to adjust to the impact of my Tourette's and on Saturday it became obvious that I need to spend much more time getting my mental and physical health in order, so I can keep doing everything I love for a long time to come.
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Tourette's syndrome is a condition that causes a person to make involuntary sounds and movements called tics, explains the NHS. It has come further into the public eye with stars like Lewis, and American singer Billie Eilish, talking about their symptoms openly.
It usually starts during childhood, but the tics and other symptoms usually improve after several years and sometimes go away completely, says the NHS. There's no cure for Tourette's syndrome, but treatment can help manage symptoms.
Symptoms of Tourette's syndrome
Tics are the main symptom of Tourette's syndrome, says the NHS. They usually appear in childhood between the ages of two and 14 (around six years is the average). People with Tourette's syndrome have a combination of physical and vocal tics.
Examples of physical tics include:
- blinking
- eye rolling
- grimacing
- shoulder shrugging
- jerking of the head or limbs
- jumping
- twirling
- touching objects and other people
Examples of vocal tics include:
- grunting
- throat clearing
- whistling
- coughing
- tongue clicking
- animal sounds
- saying random words and phrases
- repeating a sound, word or phrase
- swearing
Swearing is rare and only affects about 1 in 10 people with Tourette's syndrome. Tics are not usually harmful to a person's overall health, but physical tics, such as jerking of the head, can be painful.
Tics can be worse on some days than others. They may be worse during periods of:
- stress
- anxiety
- tiredness
People with Tourette's syndrome can have mood and behavioural problems, such as:
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- depression or anxiety
Children with Tourette's syndrome may also be at risk of bullying because their tics might single them out.
Most people with Tourette's syndrome experience a strong urge before a tic, which has been compared to the feeling you get before needing to itch or sneeze.
These feelings are known as premonitory sensations. Premonitory sensations are only relieved after the tic has been carried out.
Examples of premonitory sensations include:
- a burning feeling in the eyes before blinking
- a dry or sore throat before grunting
- an itchy joint or muscle before jerking
Controlling tics
Some people can control their tics for a short while in certain social situations, like in a classroom. It requires concentration, but gets easier with practice, says the NHS.
Controlling tics can be tiring. A person may have a sudden release of tics after a day trying to control them, like after returning home from school.
Tics may be less noticeable during activities involving a high level of concentration, such as reading an interesting book or playing sports.
When to get medical advice
You should contact a GP if you or your child start having tics, says the health service. Many children have tics for several months before growing out of them, so a tic does not necessarily mean your child has Tourette's syndrome.
There's no single test for Tourette's syndrome. Tests and scans, such as an MRI scan, may be used to rule out other conditions. You can be diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome if you've had several tics for at least a year.
Getting a firm diagnosis can help you and others understand your condition better, and give you access to the right kind of treatment and support. To get a diagnosis, a GP may refer you to different specialists, such as a neurologist (a brain and nervous system specialist).
Treating Tourette's syndrome
There's no cure for Tourette's syndrome and most children with tics do not need treatment for them. Treatment may sometimes be recommended to help you control your tics.
Treatment is usually available on the NHS and can involve behavioural therapy or medicine.
Causes of Tourette's syndrome
The cause of Tourette's syndrome is unknown. It's thought to be linked to a part of the brain that helps regulate body movements. For unknown reasons, boys are more likely to be affected by Tourette's syndrome than girls.
