Tic

Exploring Tourette Syndrome with Analog Photography

As someone living with Tourette syndrome, it is sometimes difficult for others to comprehend how it is detrimental to my mental and physical health. My tics include facial grimacing, blinking, tensing of the throat, hands, upper body and more. My tics occur all day, every day and disrupt activities such as reading, driving, eating, and talking. How I am treated and perceived by others has affected the way I see and feel about myself. The lack of understanding makes me feel outcasted at times, lonely and misunderstood. My thesis represents the emotional aspects of living with the syndrome, and I use analog photography, specifically a Diana camera, to capture these feelings. Because I squint and blink my eyes repeatedly, it feels as if I spend most of my life with my eyes closed. This is where shooting with a toy camera such as the Diana comes into play. Capturing these moments is not perfect the same way my body and mind does not behave perfectly. My research communicates to audiences that while the physical experiences of those of us with Tourette’s are unique, the emotions of shame, loneliness and misunderstanding are universal.