Recent media coverage of John Davidson's tics at the Baftas has devolved into a discussion of insult and public decency rather than an understanding of Tourette syndrome. Public debate reduces the syndrome to its most sensational form, such as swearing and loss of control. This makes it difficult to recognize the manifestation of the condition in everyday life, including healthcare. The result is misunderstanding, narrow assessment of the person, worse outcomes and more burden on patients to explain and mask themselves. Tourette syndrome is a neurodevelopmental condition with involuntary motor and vocal tics. It commonly co-occurs with ADHD and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Coprolalia is involuntary cursing or obscenity.