Media personality and entrepreneur Chude Jideonwo in an interview with BBC has opened up about a deeply personal part of his life, revealing that he was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome in his 20s.
According to him, the diagnosis came with an unexpected instruction. His doctor advised him to keep it private, largely to avoid the stigma often attached to the condition.
Tourette syndrome, he explained, is a neurological disorder that can cause involuntary physical movements and vocal tics, moments where the body seems to “misfire” beyond one’s control. These can include repetitive actions, sounds, or sudden movements that are often misunderstood by others.
Interestingly, beyond sharing his personal experience, Chude also used the moment to address a broader issue.
He criticised Nollywood for its long standing portrayal of individuals with such conditions as being demon possessed, a narrative he believes has contributed significantly to misinformation and stigma.
For him, living with the condition has been a journey of awareness and coping. At times, it meant suppressing the tics under pressure. At other times, it meant allowing them to happen and releasing that pressure entirely.
His revelation has since sparked conversations around mental health, neurological conditions, and the importance of accurate representation in media.