Courtney Stodden has expressed profound gratitude for the overwhelmingly positive response after revealing her long-hidden struggle with Tourette's syndrome during her teenage years. The model and former reality television star disclosed that she worked diligently to conceal the condition after entering the public eye, a revelation that has resonated deeply with her supporters.
Overwhelming Support from Fans
In an interview with The Daily Mail on Monday, Stodden described the support as 'overwhelming' and stated she feels 'blessed to have such kind fans.' The star of I Was A Child Bride: The Courtney Stodden Story remarked, 'So many people have reached out and thanked me for sharing my story, it's touching.' This outpouring follows her Instagram post where she first opened up about her experiences.
Undiagnosed Symptoms in Youth
Stodden explained that she struggled with Tourette's syndrome as a younger person but was not formally diagnosed until adulthood. The tics associated with the disorder became particularly noticeable during a 2011 interview with Lara Spencer for ABC News, where she exhibited unusual facial expressions. At the time, she attributed these movements to 'nerves,' unaware of their true cause.
'I never talked about it before… because I was ashamed,' Stodden admitted in her social media post, which received likes from figures like Selling Sunset veteran Christine Quinn and Playboy model Kourtney Reppert. 'But i’m not ashamed anymore because there is nothing shameful about something you never had control over and if you’ve ever been misunderstood for something your body did… you’re not alone.'
The Impact of Public Scrutiny
Reflecting on that 2011 interview, which went viral due to her apparent discomfort, Stodden noted that trolls misinterpreted her tics, often accusing her of being under the influence of drugs. 'They made a moment into a joke… but there was a reason,' she wrote, sharing a clip from the interview. Her tics included awkward mouth movements and stuttering, which she attempted to mask by turning them into flirtatious gestures, though this strategy proved ineffective.
'What you were seeing… was a little girl with Tourette's under pressure, being watched, trying to hold herself together,' Stodden elaborated. 'My body was reacting in a way i didn’t yet have the words to explain. and instead of being understood…I was laughed at.'
Understanding Tourette's Syndrome
Tourette Syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by involuntary, repetitive movements and sounds known as tics. According to The Mayo Clinic, it typically emerges in childhood, between ages five and seven, and can involve motor tics like blinking and shrugging, as well as vocal tics such as grunting, persisting for over a year. Symptoms often peak between ages seven and 12, with many individuals experiencing improvement or resolution in late adolescence and adulthood.
Stodden's experience aligns with this pattern, as she noted that her tics began to 'quiet down' around age 13 but never fully disappeared, resurfacing under stress during public appearances.
Personal Life and Moving Forward
During the time of her diagnosis, Stodden was married to Hollywood actor Doug Hutchinson, whom she wed at age 16 while he was 51. Now 31, with Hutchinson aged 65, she has since divorced him in 2020 and is now married to movie producer Jared Safier. Her journey from a teen bride to an advocate for mental health awareness highlights her resilience.
In her full Instagram note, Stodden detailed how she tried to hide her tics out of fear of being perceived as 'weird,' but now embraces her story to help others. 'I stayed quiet about this for a long time but i’m not ashamed anymore,' she affirmed, encouraging those who have felt misunderstood due to involuntary bodily actions.
This candid revelation not only sheds light on Stodden's personal challenges but also raises awareness about Tourette's syndrome, fostering a more compassionate public discourse around neurodevelopmental disorders.
