How should a Christian respond to someone with Tourette syndrome?

Answer

According to the Mayo Clinic website, Tourette syndrome (TS) is “a disorder that involves repetitive movements or unwanted sounds (tics) that can’t be easily controlled.” A person with Tourette syndrome may repeatedly blink eyes, shrug shoulders, contort facial muscles, or blurt out unusual sounds or offensive words, although the latter is rare. The syndrome is named for Dr. Georges Gilles de la Tourette, a nineteenth-century French neurologist.

Tourette syndrome is a complex disorder that is not fully understood by the medical community. It may involve neurological abnormalities, heredity, and/or environmental factors. Tourette syndrome most often appears between the ages of 2 and 15, occurring most frequently in males, and often resolves by the time the person reaches adulthood. However, since the tics may include offensive words or inappropriate behaviors, how should a Christian respond to someone with Tourette syndrome?

First, we should remember that individuals suffering from Tourette syndrome do not choose to have this disorder. It can be embarrassing and isolating, especially in childhood when peers don’t understand. The tics associated with TS are involuntary and may occur at inappropriate times, causing discomfort for everyone involved. Often, individuals with Tourette syndrome also have accompanying disorders such as ADD (attention deficit disorder), OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), anxiety disorders, or learning difficulties. They struggle to live normal lives while the disorder leaves them exhausted.

Second, we should refrain from judging TS sufferers or jumping to premature conclusions. Some tics caused by Tourette syndrome can be severe, such as sudden head shaking or movements that cause the person to fall. Tourette syndrome is not linked to demon-possession or epilepsy and should not be mistaken for either.

Third, we should approach individuals with Tourette syndrome with patience and empathy. Often, whatTourette syndrome sufferers need normalcy more than anything. They desire to be treated like everyone else and not labeled by their occasional verbal outbursts or motor tics. Due to the intrusive nature of the tics caused by TS, they are challenging to overlook. Christians can support those with this condition by educating themselves about it and providing acceptance and patience to the individuals.

God’s Word is potent and carries the authority of Almighty God (Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4). Christians who care for someone with Tourette syndrome could suggest that person memorize and meditate on specific passages that offer strength when faced with the onslaught of tics. Assisting a sufferer in discovering their identity in Christ (Romans 8:15; Galatians 2:20), learning to claim His promises to never forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8; Hebrews 13:5), and calling upon the Lord as a strong tower “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: The righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” (Proverbs 18:10) may help alleviate the symptoms. At the very least, relying on God’s Word will provide strength in dealing with TS.

Above all, Christians must never belittle, judge, or shun someone with Tourette syndrome as if that person were undeserving of love and friendship. TS sufferers are also created by God, in His image, for His purpose “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” (Genesis 1:27). The words of Jesus guide how we should interact with someone with Tourette syndrome: “Treat others the way you want them to treat you.”So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them. », (Luke 6:31). If you had Tourette syndrome, how would you want others to respond to you?