Melanie Sykes opens up about her Tourette Syndrome diagnosis, says ‘I am wired a completely different way’

Melanie Sykes has been diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome, after her earlier diagnosis of autism. The English TV presenter is a mother of two. Sykes recently revealed about her Tourette Syndrome’s diagnosis in her friend Alan Carr's podcast. She also spoke about being autistic. Melanie has written about her condition in her book ‘Illuminated: Autism and all the Things I've Left Unsaid’.

What is Tourette Syndrome?

Tourette Syndrome's is a neurological condition that may cause involuntary movement of certain body parts, and involuntary sounds – known as tics – coming from a person.


Melanie Sykes said on the podcast, "I've just discovered I have Tourette's.” She went on to reveal that she has written in her book about how she ends up laughing at really inappropriate things. “I am wired a completely different way and I'm only just understanding it. Where I used to think ‘What's wrong with me?’ No, I know it's everything that's right with me,” she said.

Moreover, in her book, Melanie has shared about her fame, motherhood, self-medication, trauma, and making a comeback after a "huge breakdown" post her autism diagnosis.

"Getting a late diagnosis and having to learn about and understand my neurodivergent mind and sensitivities has indeed unlocked my happiness, but it's been an arduous road,” she said. Melanie revealed that while writing the book, she felt like she was “performing open-heart surgery” on herself, “but I knew how necessary it was”.

“I can now put it out into the world unapologetically and confidently because sharing all the wisdom my life has given me makes it all worthwhile," she said.

Earlier, 26-year-old singer Lewis Capaldi also revealed taking a break from his music tours following his diagnosis with Tourette Syndrome. In his Netflix documentary titled How I’m Feeling Now, Capaldi talked about the first signs of his condition, starting with a twitch in his shoulder that suddenly “became out of control”. It was “absolutely horrific” for him. It’s only while making music that he feels the twitch, he also noted. “It’s only making music that does this to me,” he told The Times. “Otherwise I can be fine for months at a time. It’s a weird situation."

FAQs

Q1:What happened to Melanie Sykes?
Melanie Sykes has been diagnosed with autism and Tourette Syndrome. She has spoken about her autism in her book ‘Illuminated: Autism and all the Things I've Left Unsaid’.

Q2:What is Tourette syndrome?
Tourette syndrome is a neurological condition that causes involuntary movement of body parts and sounds known as tics coming from the patient.