Singer-songwriter Billie Eilish, 24, admits it can be “frustrating” when people don’t understand Tourette Syndrome and the range of involuntary physical and vocal tics that often come along with the neurological condition. In a recent interview, she opens up very authentically about her personal experience with Tourette Syndrome and details what it’s like living with it and suppressing tics.
During the May 5 episode of the podcast Good Hang With Amy Poehler, Eilish explained that she does experience vocal tics, which she describes as “mostly just noises and I can keep them pretty quiet.” She also says she goes through “phases of words becoming tics.”
Also, in her case, Eilish says she does have the ability to hold back her Tourette’s tics, at least temporarily. “There’s a thing called suppressing,” she explains. “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 and Eilish talk how about learning to cope with everyday intrusive thoughts is a very normal human problem, but Eilish adds, “Now imagine those intrusive thoughts, but your mouth has to say them out loud. And that is Tourette Syndrome.”
Related: Billie Eilish Exploring Acting Debut in Film Adaptation of Iconic 1963 Novel About Mental Health
The Hit Me Hard and Soft musician does detail some of the misconceptions she encounters around Tourette’s, including people who want console or dote on her after a very typical tic attack. On the flip side, others claim not to see her tics at all. She explains this may be because her tics can be in her knees, elbows, and hands, which are not the most common types of tics people recognize.
She explains, “I’m doing everything I can to suppress every single tic that’s visible, from the top of my head to about right here,” she said, referencing the bottom of her rib cage. “And that’s how we as people with Tourette’s pretty much spend our days—and some people don’t even have the privilege of getting to suppress them at all in any way.”
“The not understanding of that,” Eilish adds, “is really frustrating as a person with Tourette’s.”
Eilish’s new concert film, Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D), is playing in theaters now.
Watch the clip where Billie Eilish discusses her experience with Tourette Syndrome:
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Watch the entire interview with Billie Eilish on Good Hang With Amy Poehler:
Watch the official trailer for Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D):
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