Living with a tic disorder, especially something like Tourette Syndrome (TS), presents unique challenges that can impact various aspects of life, including professional settings. One such challenging, yet surprisingly eventful, setting is the retail industry. Navigating a bustling, often high-stress environment while managing involuntary movements and sounds requires resilience, humor, and a bit of creativity. In this blog, we'll explore Tourette Syndrome and other tic disorders, and delve into the intricacies of working in retail with these conditions.
Tourette Syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by repetitive, involuntary movements and vocalisations known as tics. While tics can vary in severity and type, they often fall into two categories: motor tics and vocal tics. Motor tics involve physical movements such as blinking, shoulder shrugging, or facial grimacing, whereas vocal tics might include throat clearing, grunting, or in some cases, words or phrases.
Common Tic Disorders:
Provisional Tic Disorder: This is a diagnosis given when tics have been present for less than a year. It’s common in children and often fades over time.
Chronic Tic Disorder: Tics that last more than a year, but don’t meet all the criteria for Tourette Syndrome. This means either motor or vocal tics are present, but not both.
Tourette Syndrome (TS): The hallmark of TS is the presence of both motor and vocal tics for more than a year.
The exact cause of Tourette Syndrome and other tic disorders isn’t fully understood, but researchers believe a combination of genetics and environmental factors plays a role. Some theories suggest that an imbalance in certain neurotransmitters in the brain, such as dopamine and serotonin, may contribute to tics. Stress and anxiety can also exacerbate the frequency and intensity of tics, though they are not believed to directly cause them.
Working in retail is rarely predictable. It’s a fast-paced, customer-facing job that requires multitasking, patience, and excellent communication skills. As a person with a tic disorder, these challenges are amplified.
Retail is often considered one of the most stressful and people-centric environments to work in, given the constant interaction with customers, noise, and physical demands like stocking shelves or standing for long periods. However, for those with tic disorders, particularly Tourette Syndrome, the retail world offers a distinctive set of hurdles.
Tics can be involuntarily triggered by stress, excitement, fatigue, and even boredom—common states in a retail job. Imagine trying to complete a sale, count change, or assist a customer while battling uncontrollable tics like eye blinking, head jerking, or verbal outbursts. The public nature of the job adds another layer of complexity.
Here are some common challenges that tic disorders can pose in a retail environment:
Customer Reactions: One of the most difficult aspects of working with tics is the reaction of customers, who may not be familiar with tic disorders. Some people may stare, ask inappropriate questions, or even make rude comments. This can be emotionally exhausting and can amplify stress, which, in turn, makes tics worse.
Communication Difficulties: Vocal tics may interrupt conversations with customers or colleagues. It can be challenging to explain a promotion, help someone find a product, or handle a customer complaint when vocal tics are present. Some people with tic disorders develop techniques to pause or redirect the conversation, but it’s not always possible to suppress tics.
Physical Demands: Some motor tics can interfere with physical tasks in retail, such as restocking shelves or operating a cash register. A sudden tic while handling breakable merchandise or counting money could lead to mistakes or accidents.
Noise Sensitivity: Many retail environments are full of noise—loud music, constant chatter, the beeping of registers, etc. For people with tic disorders, especially those who experience sensory sensitivities, this can be overwhelming and contribute to tic exacerbation.
While the challenges of working in retail with a tic disorder are real, there are ways to manage the situation and even thrive in this environment. People with tic disorders are incredibly resilient and often develop their own techniques to navigate daily life.
1. Open Communication with Employers
Being upfront about your condition with your employer is key. Many people with tic disorders fear that revealing their diagnosis might lead to discrimination, but in many cases, understanding managers are more likely to make reasonable accommodations. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Disability Equality Act (2010) provides protection for people with disabilities, and tic disorders fall under this category. Reasonable accommodations could include breaks during high-stress moments, modifications to certain tasks, or even creating a more relaxed work schedule if needed.
2. Educating Co-Workers
Helping your co-workers understand tic disorders can be incredibly empowering. If you feel comfortable, explaining your tics can create a more supportive work environment and avoid misunderstandings. Many people are simply unaware of what tic disorders are, and they may mistake tics for intentional behavior or nervousness.
3. Finding Your Rhythm
Every retail worker develops a “rhythm” for their day, whether it’s finding moments of calm during a busy shift or using certain repetitive tasks to get into a mental flow. For people with tic disorders, this rhythm might involve recognizing moments when their tics are more likely to happen and adjusting their workflow accordingly. For example, taking a quick bathroom break if tics are becoming overwhelming or focusing on stocking shelves during less busy hours to avoid customer interactions when tics are heightened.
4. Self-Care and Stress Management
Working in retail with a tic disorder requires a high level of self-care. The stress and fast pace of retail work can make tics worse, so it’s important to incorporate relaxation techniques into your daily routine. Whether it’s taking a few minutes of deep breathing in the break room, practicing mindfulness before a shift, or engaging in regular exercise, self-care can make a huge difference in managing tic symptoms.
5. Humor as a Coping Mechanism
Humor can be a great way to cope with the unexpected and sometimes embarrassing moments that tics can bring in a retail environment. Many people with tic disorders learn to laugh at themselves and use light-hearted explanations when they have a tic in front of a customer. "Oh, that’s just my brain doing its own thing!" can be a way to ease tension and defuse any awkwardness.
Working in retail with a tic disorder can feel like a never-ending series of "adventures"—some funny, some frustrating, but always eventful.
One of the most memorable experiences I had involved a vocal tic that made me involuntarily say the name “Beryl” at random intervals. During one particularly busy day, I had customers lined up at the register when a vocal tic decided to introduce itself. Every few minutes, I would blurt out “Beryl” while handing customers their change. Most people just looked at me quizzically, but one customer finally asked, “Are you trying to get Beryl's attention or something?”
I burst out laughing and explained that it was a tic. To my relief, the customer found it hilarious. We laughed, and the moment became a great icebreaker. Not every experience is this positive, but moments of connection and understanding like that help me push through the more difficult days.
Living with a tic disorder has taught me the power of resilience. Retail, with all its ups and downs, can be both a challenging and rewarding environment for someone with Tourette Syndrome or another tic disorder. Learning to navigate the misunderstandings, finding ways to cope with stress, and educating those around you can transform the experience into one of personal growth and even humour.
Though working in retail with Tourette Syndrome or another tic disorder presents unique challenges, it’s important to remember that it is possible to thrive in this environment. Whether through open communication, humor, self-care, or education, people with tic disorders can not only survive in the fast-paced retail world but also succeed. The key is finding strategies that work for you and embracing the support of those around you.
Ultimately, living with tics doesn’t define your ability to be a great retail worker—it just adds an extra layer of excitement to an already unpredictable job!