In light of the recent news feature covering Lewis Capaldi announcing he has Tourette’s syndrome, we thought now would be a good time to discuss Tourette’s, in an attempt to increase awareness of the condition and share light on what the sufferer has to go through.

In the United Kingdom, it is estimated that more than 300,000 people are living with Tourette’s syndrome – an inherited, neurological condition which can be characterised by involuntary sounds and movements, called tics, with stress and anxiety contributing to them happening more frequently. There are medications available to help control these tics and reduce the downsides of any problems they may be causing, so if you feel that you may have some of the characteristics of Tourette’s Syndrome, we recommend you speak to your GP and get a full diagnosis.

Upon speaking to the media, Capaldi said that “although it’s not a big deal, he at first thought he had some horrible degenerative disease, but being diagnosed with Tourette’s came as a big relief.”

The Glasgow-born star said on Instagram Live “it’s not a big a deal” but that some days are “more painful than others” – and he had been given botox injections to stop the twitching.

“The worst thing about it is when I’m excited, I get it,” he said. “When I’m stressed, I get it. Some days it’s more painful than others. It’s not a big deal. It looks a lot worse than it is. When they told me ‘we think you’ve got Tourette’s’, I was like ‘you know what, that makes so much sense’. I have Tourette’s. I’ve always had it, apparently. I do a shoulder twitch quite a lot. It’s a new thing.”

In light of Capaldi coming out to the public regarding his condition, it encourages others to do the same. Portraying a very important message around the stigma of suffering from physical and mental differences. Knowing the issue you’re facing and being able to share the problem with others, allows you to have ‘peace of mind’.

People with Tourette’s syndrome often have increased chances of developing mood and behavioural problems, such as: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), depression or anxiety. If you’re ever struggling with your mental health, tourettes related or not, it’s important to know that you’re not alone, and there will be someone out there to listen to you; family, friends, Kaleidoscope – you’re never alone.

If you’re in urgent need of mental health support, text TeamKPG to 85258 for FREE, confidential support, at any time of the day or night.