‘As soon as the camera came on it stopped’: CBS reporter reveals he has Tourette Syndrome

‘As soon as the camera came on it stopped’: CBS reporter reveals he has Tourette Syndrome – and how being filmed helped him overcome tics

  • David Begnaud, a Dallas-based CBS reporter has revealed he has Tourette Syndrome
  • Tourette Syndrome causes vocal or body ‘tics’ that sufferers struggle to control
  • It strikes about one in 360 children in the US 
  • Tourette Syndrome’s cause is unknown and there is no cure  
  • Begnaud was bullied for the neurological condition as a child 
  • But, he discovered that the tics seem to disappear while he is in front of the camera  

CBS reporter David Begnaud struggled with tics from Tourette Syndrome as a child- and still sometimes struggles to suppress them today, he revealed on People Now.

Tourette Syndrome is a relatively rare nervous system disorder that triggers involuntary behavioral tics. 

For Begnaud, a Dallas-based correspondent, his remaining tics are most often visible around his mouth, he said. 

But as soon as the camera turns on, somehow the tics turn off, Begnaud said in his interview with People.

David Begnaud revealed that he has had Tourette Syndrome since childhood – but that being on camera actually helps to curb his involuntary tics 

About one out of every 360 American children have Tourette Syndrome. 

Tics can be simple, small movements. They can consist of sudden vocal outbursts – of either nonverbal sounds or certain words – or may involve multiple body parts. 

For some, its effects may be mild, almost imperceptible, and can be overcome with time and therapy. 

But for other’s, Tourette Syndrome is a lifelong struggle and disruption. 

For Begnaud, Tourette Syndrome certainly made his childhood harder, but hasn’t stopped him from finding success in adulthood. 

When he was growing up, ‘it was debilitating,’ he told People. 

‘I changed schools five times. I was home-schooled. I was given blood pressure medication, which they thought would help.’ 

We don’t really know what causes Tourette Syndrome, so we don’t really know what stops it. 

It’s thought to be caused by both genetic and environmental factors. 

These together may alter the levels and activities of neurotransmitters in the brain. 

For this reason – and because people with Tourette often have another condition, like ADHD – the tic disorder is most often treated with psychiatric medications, like those used for children with attention issue or obsessive compulsive disorder. 

Behavioral therapy also often helps children learn to keep tics to manageable levels.  

Begnaud moved schools several times and was treated with blood pressure medication but that didn't hide his tics from classmates that often bullied him growing up 

Begnaud moved schools several times and was treated with blood pressure medication but that didn’t hide his tics from classmates that often bullied him growing up 

As a young reporter, Begnaud discovered - thanks to his father's observation - that his tics seemed to fade away when the cameras turned on 

As a young reporter, Begnaud discovered – thanks to his father’s observation – that his tics seemed to fade away when the cameras turned on 

Certain drugs designed to control blood pressure, however – like clonidine – may help to bolster impulse control in children with Tourette Syndrome.  

The medication didn’t seem to stop Begnaud’s tics from his classmates, according to his interview with People. 

He was bullied throughout school, due both to his tics and to the fact that Begnaud was gay. 

Then he discovered that the very public effort of being on camera was better for diminishing his tics than hiding was. 

Earlier in his career as a reporter, Begnaud told People his father came to watch him and noticed that ‘as soon as the camera came on it all stopped.’ 

Since then, countless former schoolmates have emailed Begnaud to apologize for tormenting him. 

But Begnaud says: ‘I don’t harbor resentment.’ 

‘Every person who sends me a message today apologizing for how they treated me as a kid, listen, we’re good. We’re game. 

‘Learn that going forward and teach your kids that kind of acceptance towards others. Pay that forward.’ 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk