Singer Robbie Williams has spoken about his struggle with Tourette syndrome in his latest podcast appearance. The 51-year-old on the October 2 episode of ‘I’m ADHD! No You’re Not’, talked about having intrusive thoughts due to the syndrome, and having ‘autistic traits’.
A neurodevelopment disorder, Tourette syndrome involves repetitive, rapid, and involunatry movements and sounds, often called tics, according to MayoClinic.
Blinking your eyes repeatedly, shrugging your shoulders, or making unusual sounds are some of the tics associated with the syndrome.
According to Tourette Association of America that while tics are usually mild, in some cases, they can lead to injuries. Doctors who specialise in brain disorders like neurologists, psychiatrists or psychologists can help treat it. Factors like stress, anxiety, excitement, or fatigue can affect the frequency and intensity of tics.
‘They are intrusive thoughts that happen’
Williams talked about his struggles with intrusive thoughts, which are part of the Tourette’s syndrome.
I’ve just realised that I have Tourette’s, but they don’t come out,” Williams said on the show.
“They are intrusive thoughts that happen. I was just walking down the road the other day and I realized that these intrusive thoughts are inside Tourette’s,” he said.
“Not only that, you would think that a stadium full of people professing their love to you would work, but whatever it is, inside me, cannot hear it. I cannot take it in.”
Tics associated with the disorder show up between ages 2 and 15 and are more common in men than women. Males have 3-4 times more likely than females to develop Tourette syndrome.
Symptoms of Tourette syndrome
Eye blinking, head jerking, nose twitching, shoulder shrugging are some of the simple tics, while hopping, touching, or smelling objects, repeating phrases or words are among the complex tics, according to Mayoclinic.
Before these tics occur, people experience uncomfortable sensations such as an itch, tingle, or tension, and expressing these tics brings relief.
Williams also said that he may have got autistic traits, however, he hasn’t been officially diagnosed.
“It turns out I’m not [autistic], but I’ve got autistic traits. And it’s around, social stuff, it’s about interaction,” he said.
The reason he believes he has autism is his discomfort in his own skin.
“When I’m in bed, that’s my comfort zone. Anywhere outside of that bed is my discomfort zone,” he said. “It’s getting better. It was awful, horrendous through my 20s, bad through my 30s, my 40s started to get better and I’m on an upward curve, but I’m still uncomfortable in my skin.”
According to the American Psychiatry Association, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental condition that poses challenges with social communication, restricted interests and repetitive behavior.