Get To Know Your Triggers (Tourettes & Tics)

Key Takeaways:

• Common tic triggers include fatigue, caffeine, screens, social situations  
• Identifying subtler triggers helps anticipate and manage them proactively   
• Rather than fighting discomfort, meeting triggers with curiosity defuses intensity 

As someone who has struggled with constant motor tics for over 20 years, people often ask me about “triggers” - the situations that seem to exacerbate my tics. For a long time, I was bewildered by this concept. My tics were so frequent and uncontrollable, I couldn’t imagine identifying specific triggers amidst the chaos.

But as I’ve cultivated more mindful awareness of my body’s patterns, some clear triggers have begun to emerge. While everyone’s triggers are unique, here are a few I’ve noticed in my own journey:

- Social situations - Being around certain friends or in crowded settings often increases my urge to tic. There is a social anxiety component at play.

- Screens - Staring at phones, computers, or TV tends to ramp up my tics, especially in the neck area. Digital overload stimulates my nervous system. 

- Fatigue - When my energy is depleted, my ability to resist tic urges goes down dramatically. A good night’s sleep is crucial.

- Caffeine - As much as I love coffee, too much caffeine leaves me jittery in more ways than one!

Of course, these are just some of my common triggers. The more mindfulness I cultivate, the more I discover subtle nuances day to day. 

So what do I do when I identify a trigger about to set off my tics? Sometimes I’m able to simply avoid the trigger, at least temporarily. I may step away from the crowd or turn off electronics. 

But avoiding triggers entirely isn’t realistic long-term. This is where learning to relate to discomfort differently has been vital. When I feel triggered, I use deep breathing to stay grounded rather than reacting. I acknowledge the urges without judgment. 

In many ways, triggers are blessings in disguise. They show me exactly where I am still resisting flow, clinging to control out of fear. They reveal pockets of held trauma waiting to be released. 

Rather than fighting the urge to tic, I meet these triggers with compassion. Tics become an invitation to care for myself gently, not a sign of personal failure. By softening into the discomfort, its grip on me loosens.

My tics have shown me where inner work is still needed. Their appearance is no longer something to fear, but an opportunity to love myself – and heal – more deeply. This continues to be a lifelong journey of coming home.