What about Bob?

SubduedBlues · ‎04-04-2017

Fictional character Bob Wiley is a good-natured man that suffers from multiple phobias. In the story, Bob spends makes friends with his psychiatrist's son Siggy. There is a famous scene in the picture during when staying over during a thunderstorm Bob and Siggy are jumping on the beds and yelling obscenities at the top of their lungs; pretending to have Tourette Syndrome (TS).

Where this movie (and scene) has done a lot to get people thinking about Tourette's. In the movie it's funny, but for those of us who live with it, it's not always a laughing matter. Unfortunately the movie scene has also stigmatized TS sufferers as people who uncontrollably swear and make obscene noises (corprolalia). Where in fact, less than a tenth of TS sufferers have coprolalia.

Tourette Syndrome (TS or simply Tourette's), is a common neurological disorder characterized by multiple motor tics and at least one vocal (phonic) tic. Tics are sudden, repetitive, nonrhythmic movements (motor tics) and utterances (phonic tics) that involve discrete muscle groups. Motor tics are movement-based tics, while phonic tics are involuntary sounds produced by moving air through the nose, mouth, or throat. Tics characteristically wax and wane, and are typically preceded by an unwanted urge or sensation in the affected muscles; sort of like a sneeze. In some instances the tic can be temporarily suppressed, but it's going to come out (sort of like trying to forcefully stop yourself from a hiccup).

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I have palilalia (repeating of words), which for me is a contiguous repeating of syllables, words and phases. Some of us also have echolalia (repeating sounds). As an adult, more often than not, my tics come and go without notice. But sometimes they are so obvious people who are unaware of the affliction either ask me (in a condescending tone) "are you right there," or to "just stop doing that". Worse are the people who know someone with TS, and think that because your tics are different that their tics, you must be faking it. People cannot fake tics, as they are uncontrollable and involuntary actions.

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Beyond the tics, Tourette's is:
* riddled with stigma regarding the affliction
* can be depressive for its sufferer's
* can cause undue social anxiety

It is my hope that others who have Tourette Syndrome, or are friends/relatives of people with TS, can post here and gain benefit of my experience living with, coping with, and conquering TS (err... oops... I didn't conquer it)

SB

BballJ · ‎04-04-2017

Hi SubduedBlues,

Wow I have never actually seen anything about tourettes really discussed before and I didn't know there were many variations of it, I guess you are right movies have sort of stereotyped it to a degree that it is often just seen as some who swears uncontrollably and outloud.

Have you had it your whole life? What is out there to help raise awareness for it that could assist people living with it. My dad used to have this friend who would come over when I was young and he had a terrible stutter, repeated a lot of words uncontrollably, is that a form of Tourette's?

My best for you,

Jay

blondguy · ‎05-04-2017

Hi SB

Bill Murray did a great job playing the patient with his multi phobic condition. They did deal with anxiety very well and Richard Dreyfuss played the role of the psychiatrist very well

A great satirical yet respectful movie about generalized anxiety. A very very funny flick 🙂

Thanks SB

Paul

SubduedBlues · ‎05-04-2017

Hi Jay

I've had tics as long as I can remember. Some more noticeable than others.

The Tourette Syndrome Association of Australia (TSAA) has a lot of information on their website tourette.org.au

As far as I am aware, just having a studder/stammer in one's speech is not, on its own, an indication of TS. Though it could be a tic, it could also be a result of other issues.

Insofar as awareness campaigns, the TSAA runs them in schools every year, but as it is a small organization the numberof schools reached is limited. Usually to those that a suffering child.

I've been trying to get the people at the Color Run to pick it up as a charity partner, but I am only one voice. Maybe if more people suggested it to them???

Thanks for your support

SB

SubduedBlues · ‎05-04-2017

Hi Paul

I concur, Bill did a great job in expressing the GAD part too. I hadn't considered that, but perhaps I ought have.

I know that the ABC is currently filming a documentary about adults with TS and it preventing or inhibiting their ability to become gainfully employed. (The forum moderators have the details if anyone is interested)

SB

Jugglin_Strugglin · ‎05-04-2017

SB, good on you for starting this fantastic thread and for living, coping and conquering Tourette Syndrome. Definition of conquer is to overcome or TO TAKE CONTROL OF, which it seems that you have done.

ABC have aired a series of doccos from the UK called 'employable me'. (It might be available now on iview or youtube or putlocker). Each episode detailed the story of 2 people with different employment challenges. There were a few people with autism, as well as quite a few with Tourettes. The people with TS ranged from very severe to milder-one guy was able to control his tics for a long time period. He applied for a job as a tree surgeon- climbing trees with chainsaws- and did very well (spoiler alert?)

The guy with the most severe tics was 50+yrs old, and had only developed TS after attending the funeral of a close friend. For me, this highlighted how little we know of brain function.

Apparently, a lot of people with TS are often very creative, and 'visual', so focussing on these positive attributes can help in finding a job in which they can excel. Similarly with autism, their 'differences' can become valuable assets.

It was heartening to see some employers so understanding and accommodating. Being open-minded and going the extra mile made a such a huge difference, not only in the new employees life, but in their own and their fellow-workers. Truly a win-win. Some great examples of turning negatives into positives!

It was a fantastic series, very insightful. I believe it was very realistic in portraying TS and showed the difficulties (and some solutions) it poses to everyday life. Watching it made me realise how little I knew about TS, so was compelled to learn more. I have since done quite a bit of reading etc, so hopefully I can better relate to someone if ever needed.

SubduedBlues · ‎05-04-2017

JS

The BBC has done a number of series on TS. I think they have done a wonderful job in raising awareness of the problem, but then I also think that their use of those with corpolalia just enhances the common misunderstanding about TS vs breaking down the walls of ignorance.

ABC (Australia) is looking at doing their own (local) documentary. When I was speaking with them last month, I understand that they too may also include some people with HFA. It really depends on how many adults they come across during the investigation phase.

Whether I am selected as a participant or not, I am looking forward to seeing what they produce.

SB

blondguy · ‎05-04-2017

Hi SB

Come to think of it there was a guy walking down the footpath (with TS..maybe) when Bill Murray was trying to get the courage to leave his apartment due to his agoraphobia (anxiety)

Its difficult to remember SB....I have placed the link in below so people can get a better idea re this great movie

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What_About_Bob%3F

my kind thoughts

Paul

BballJ · ‎05-04-2017

Hi SubduedBlues,

When you make the suggestion to colour run and what not, do you ever get a response? Does it just get overlooked?

My best,

Jay

SubduedBlues · ‎10-04-2017

The TSAA made a direct request to The Color Run this week... so I guess it may yet become a reality.