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Billie Eilish has said she is “doing everything I can” to suppress her Tourette syndrome.
The singer-songwriter, who was 11 when she was diagnosed with TS, told of how frustrating it can be when others do not understand the condition.
TS causes involuntary sudden, repetitive sounds or movements known as tics, which can be triggered by different things including stress, excitement or tiredness, according to the NHS website.
Speaking to Amy Poehler on her Good Hang podcast, the 24-year-old singer spoke about living with the condition and said: “I do have Tourette’s and I have vocal tics but, luckily for me and for everyone else, they’re mostly just noises and I can keep them pretty quiet.
“I go through phases of words becoming tics, but there’s a thing called suppressing, if you ever heard of it.
“When I’m in an interview, I’m doing everything in my power to suppress all of my tics constantly. And as soon as I leave the room, I have to let them all out.”
Poehler, known for starring in the hit TV series Parks and Recreation, went on to speak to the singer about intrusive thoughts, which the NHS defines as unwanted and often shocking thoughts and images.
Eilish said: “Imagine those intrusive thoughts, but your mouth has to say them out loud, right? That is Tourette syndrome.”
“I think what’s troubling about the way that people do not understand what Tourette’s is, if I start having a tic attack, like a lot of tics in a row, people are like, ‘Are you OK?’
“This is very much normal. It’s like, if you didn’t see me tic today, you’re not looking at my knees, which are tic-ing constantly under this table, and my elbows that are like … I’m clenching my arms the entire time.”
The chart-topping singer added: “It’s because I’m currently on camera and I’m having a conversation, and I’m trying not to be distracting.
“I’m really doing this the whole time – as much fun as I’m having – I’m doing everything I can to suppress every single tic that’s visible, from the top of my head to [my waist].”
The singer, known for hits including Birds of a Feather and Bad Guy, added: “That’s how we, as people with Tourette’s, pretty much spend our days. Some people don’t even have the privilege of getting to suppress them at all in any way. The not understanding of that is really frustrating, as a person with Tourette’s.”
Eilish rose to fame aged 14 after the release of her hit song Ocean Eyes, and has since had two UK No 1 singles and three chart-topping albums.
The singer has also won a string of accolades, including 10 Grammy awards, two Oscars and three Brit Awards.
