A Day in the Life of Tourette Syndrome

Like many people with Tourette syndrome, Troye Evers' symptoms began early in his childhood, but he was not officially diagnosed until he was eighteen years old. He remained in the closet about his diagnosis until his thirties, falsely attempting to pass off his symptoms as the result of bad sleep or a dry throat. After deciding he had enough, he penned a screenplay about his experiences that went on to win third place in the All Access Screen Writing competition. Two years later, he found himself voted on to the board of the Tourette Syndrome Association of New York City. Now using his influence and writing skills, he has collected the stories of seventeen other people, from all walks of life, living with Tourette syndrome. This breakthrough book will dispel several pernicious myths about the disorder. Contrary to media stereotypes about the disease, the vast majority of those with Tourette syndrome do not yell out profanities and other inappropriate remarks. Only ten percent of sufferers are prone to episodes of coprolalia, the yelling of obscenities. Instead, the neuropsychiatric disorder is marked by a combination of motor tics, such as uncontrollable arm waving, neck twitching, shoulder rolling, and speech tics. In these stories, each person reveals how the disorder has transformed their life for both good and bad. "From talking about daily bullying, teasing, mocking, and their fight for acceptance, they open up to the reader, explain how they conquered the fear of honesty, and became strong, confident members of society with a beautiful message," writes Evers. This book is not intended as a medical reference but as an education tool that allows readers to glimpse the lives of others affected by Tourette syndrome. As few others understand the reality of their condition, many spend their whole lives suppressing their symptoms and suppress their own personalities in the process. Incisive and eye-opening, this book makes their realities come alive.