Betty’s Top 10 Tic’s

Most people have heard of Tourettes, but not all vocal tics are Tourettes. Red has a vocal tic that developed in adult life, through trauma, and it’s almost identical Tourettes. She named her tic Betty.

Living with vocal tics as an adult can be a rollercoaster of awkward moments and unexpected hilarity. Betty is expressive and loud and doesn’t mind shouting in public, here are a few of her favourite words and phrases

Shouting DING DONG loudly gets heads turning, Red’s favourite time was in the tool section of B&M, when a man glanced sideways and Red also looked at him like he had done it.

10. SHUT YOUR CATFLAP, you dont even have to be talking to be instructed to shut your catflap

9. DONT TELL ANYONE, is Betty’s weirdest phrase, she whispers it at random times, mostly in the car.

8. ROY is the name Betty has given to Red’s boyfriend Adam, she shouts ROYYYY in a yearning manner, thankfully Adam embraces being called Roy and he and Red are still together.

7. I LOVE COCK, I dont think Betty means chickens.

6. The call of CUUUUNT is not Red’s favourite of Bettys public shout outs, but thankfully she’s well known in her village and can get away with it there.

5. DO IT…..DON’T DO IT…..DO IT Betty argues with herself, especially when theres cake about and Red is trying not to eat cake but actually wants some. This leads to everyone knowing of the internal struggle of the mind of a woman who wants the cake but can’t do up the zip on her favourite dress.

4. KASHINGA MORINGA is a frequent outburst and Red has no idea what this means.

3. FUCK YOU, FUCKO an indiscriminate phrase kindly dished out to anyone in Betty’s line of sight.

2. SHHHHHHH, this always come with an involuntary finger point

1. NUTS!!! This usually occurs when Red is in the vicinity of nuts, especially in the supermarket.

The key to living with vocal tics is embracing the humor in everyday situations. Yes, there are moments of embarrassment, but there are also countless opportunities to laugh at the absurdity of it all. By finding the funny side, you not only make it easier for yourself but also help others feel more comfortable around you.

Tips for Navigating Public Spaces

Laugh It Off: When in doubt, laugh it out. Humor is a powerful tool for diffusing awkward situations and making connections.

Own It: Confidence is key. When a tic happens, acknowledge it with a smile or a joke. People appreciate honesty and humor.

Educate: Take a moment to explain your tics to those around you. Most people are understanding and supportive once they know what’s going on.

Find Your Tribe: Connect with others who have similar experiences. Sharing stories and laughs with fellow tic-ers can be incredibly uplifting.