‘My body misfires’ — Chude Jideonwo speaks on Tourette syndrome diagnosis

Chude Jideonwo, the Nigerian media personality, has broken his silence on living with Tourette syndrome, describing the condition as a constant battle where the body can feel “out of control”.

 

In an interview with BBC News Africa, Jideonwo also tackled the deep-seated stigma surrounding the disorder across the continent.

Tourette syndrome is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by involuntary tics — sudden, repetitive movements or sounds.

While there is no known cure, symptoms can be managed through behavioural therapy and, in some cases, medication.

 

Jideonwo revealed that he was initially warned by his own doctor to keep his diagnosis private.

“When I was diagnosed, my doctor warned me not to talk about it in public — that people were going to judge me, especially in Africa. That made me sad, but it also shows why people are not speaking out about it,” he said.

The 41-year-old said he first began to consciously notice symptoms in his late twenties. To manage the condition, Jideonwo said he often relies on intense self-restraint.

 

“I began to notice Tourette’s in my late 20s. It feels like your body misfires — like it is out of your control in physical ways,” he said.

“The movement tics, the vocal tics. Mine is mild. I tend to repeat words constantly.

“I manage it by holding myself under pressure. If I’m in public and not speaking, it’s because I’m holding myself back — using my entire mind to control it.”

“The other way is to say it out loud. Once I do, people understand, and the embarrassment reduces.”

 

The media host also criticised the portrayal of Tourette syndrome in Nollywood films, which he said reinforce harmful stereotypes.

“If you watch Nigerian movies, people with Tourette’s are usually portrayed as demon-possessed or as if something is wrong with them,” he said.

He recalled a painful moment at the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards, where activist John Davidson involuntarily shouted a racial slur —an act later linked to Tourette syndrome.

“It broke my heart. It showed how much work still needs to be done,” he said.

 

Jideonwo said he became more comfortable speaking about his condition after seeing Billie Eilish discuss her experience publicly.

“I saw Billie Eilish talk about it, and that made me comfortable. Now I talk about it everywhere,” he said.

“I’ve written about it in my book and articles. Visibility is the primary contribution I can make to normalising it, especially for young people.”

  

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