Tourette’s Syndrome, Stigma, and Society’s Jests

This book explores the profound and multifaceted impact of stigma on individuals with Tourette’s syndrome. It critically examines how stigma, rooted in historical misconceptions continues to shape societal perceptions and attitudes, and marginalises those with the condition across education, employment, media, and interpersonal relationships.

Drawing on personal narratives, Tourette’s Syndrome, Stigma, and Society’s Jests investigates how humour and media representations both reinforce and challenge societal stigma. It evaluates systemic barriers that maintain inequality and exclusion and confronts traditional medicalised views of Tourette’s syndrome. Significantly, it advocates for an intersectional approach that emphasises inclusivity, empowerment, and society’s accountability in addressing stigma and fostering change.

By weaving together lived experiences with scholarly insights, the book challenges readers to rethink preconceived notions about Tourette’s syndrome and to consider the societal structures that impact the lives of those with the condition. Accessible yet grounded in academic research, this volume offers valuable insights for readers interested in disability studies or social justice. It aims to inspire dialogue, challenge stigma, and advocate for a future that prioritises the voices and experiences of individuals with Tourette’s syndrome.

Melina Aikaterini Malli  is a Senior Research Fellow at the Oxford Institute of Population Ageing, University of Oxford, UK. She specialises in social inclusion, identity, and integrated care, with a focus on stigma and disability, particularly Tourette’s syndrome. She has led and co-led social care projects, published extensively in disability studies, and holds a doctorate from the Tizard Centre, University of Kent.

Rachel Forrester-Jones is Full Professor and Director of the School of Health Studies, University of Western Ontario, Canada.  Her research focuses on disability and social inclusion. A qualified Barrister, she also studies legal issues in relation to vulnerable groups.  She was Professor and Director of the Tizard Centre (Kent), the Centre for the Analysis of Social Policy (University of Bath), and Head of Bath’s Department of Social Policy Sciences.