Читать книгу The Tourettes Survival Kit - Tara Murphy - Страница 4

MEET THE SUPPORT CREW

Dr Tara

Welcome to this Survival Kit. I am a psychologist and have worked with people who have tics for many years. Tic disorders have many different names, Tourettes, Tourette syndrome, Tourette disorder. In this book we will call it ‘Tourettes’ because that’s what most people who have it call it. I’ve heard about lots of challenges and solutions from the people I have worked with and wanted to include them in a book, so here we go!

Dr Jolande

Hi! My name is Jolande van de Griendt. I’m a health psychologist and cognitive behavioural therapist from the Netherlands. I run a telemedicine private practice in behavioural treatment for tics (called ‘ticxperts’) and am doing a PhD comparing medication versus a behavioural treatment called ‘exposure and response prevention’ (ERP). Together with Tara Murphy, I run behavioural treatment workshops for professionals all over Europe.

Duncan

Hello there. I’m Duncan McKinlay, aka ‘Dr Dunc’, a registered psychologist with the College of Psychologists of Ontario, Canada, practising with children and adolescents in clinical and school psychology. I was diagnosed with Tourettes at age 19 but knew that I had a ‘secret’ by age seven. I am a past director of the Tourette Syndrome Foundation of Canada, and have received numerous awards for my professional work, and sit on professional advisory boards for various Tourettes organisations. You can read about me, watch my documentary or purchase my book Nix Your Tics! by logging on to my website, ‘Life’s a Twitch!’ (www.lifesatwitch.com).

Mike

I’m Mike. I’ve held leadership roles in a number of multinational and global organisations, including head legal counsel and chair. Most recently I founded a number of technology businesses. I speak to audiences of up to 5000 people and chair conferences, dinners and media events in many parts of the world. I am also an ultra-distance runner and compete at an international level. I have Tourettes.

Rupert

I was diagnosed with Tourettes when I was ten, which was four years ago. During that time I have found many ways to deal with my tics on a daily basis but no day is ever the same. It takes great concentration and willpower, and I find having a positive attitude is the key to my challenging situation.

Daniel

I’m Daniel. I’m 24 years old and have had Tourettes for most of my life. Since being diagnosed at the age of nine I’ve always looked for ways to ensure my tics stay a relatively small part of my life. I’m currently living and working in the Canadian Rockies as part of a year out from my career.

Liz

Hello, I’m Liz, a psychologist who delivers online behavioural therapy for tics and Tourettes to people over 18 years old. I have adult-onset Tourettes. A couple of years ago I experienced a meditation session which helped reduce the frequency and intensity of a particular tic and led to the eventual development of ‘At ease with your tics: A guided relaxation’, a relaxation exercise that has been developed through the diverse skills of a meditation teacher, a musician and Tourettes healthcare professionals. You can find it at www.tourettes-action.org.uk/news-276-guided-relaxation-for-tics.html

Eliza

Hi, I’m Eliza. I’m 15 years old and have had tics since I was four. I used to be bothered by the tics, but once I realised that the tics were not that important, I stopped caring about them so much. Now I’m the boss.

Jess

Hi, I’m Jess, co-founder of Touretteshero. Artist, performer, playworker and expert fundraiser, I’ve had tics since I was a child but wasn’t diagnosed with Tourettes until I was in my twenties. With some encouragement from my friends, I have turned my tics into a source of imaginative creativity and the Touretteshero project was born: www.touretteshero.com

Harry

Hiya. My name is Harry and I’m 15 years old, nearly 16. I got tics at nine years old and don’t mind them TOO much, but sometimes they really annoy me. I have found some good ways of managing the tics at school. I also have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). I’m a fictional person, made up from aspects of many young people Dr Tara has seen over the years, so my profile picture is a sketch.

Megan

Hello, my name is Megan. I’m 19 years old and find that I can outwit my tics. Sometimes they get to me but I have worked out several excellent strategies to help me. I’m a fictional person, so my profile picture is a sketch.

Zak

Hi there, I’m Zak. I’m 23 years old and I work as a personal trainer. I’ve had tics since I was five years old. The tics have always been a part of me and I’ve just learned to live with them. I think I’d miss them if they disappeared. I’m a fictional person and that’s why my profile picture is a sketch.