Robbie Williams Shares Tourette Syndrome Diagnosis

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Robbie Williams is facing a new health challenge. 

The singer known as “Angels” recently revealed he has Tourette syndrome, a condition affecting brain development. It causes sudden, repetitive movements or sounds, called “tics,” that people can’t control.

For Robbie, however, those involuntary tics aren’t external but internal.   

“I recently understood I have Tourette’s, though my tics aren’t physical movements,” the 51-year-old shared on the Oct. 2 episode of the I’m ADHD! No You’re Not podcast. “Instead, it manifests as unwanted thoughts.”

The Take That singer-who has children named Theodora, 12, Charlton, 10, Colette, 6, and Beau, 5, with his wife Ayda Field-continued by explaining the moment he first suspected he might have the condition.

I was walking down the street recently and it hit me that these unwanted thoughts feel like a part of my Tourette’s,” Robbie explained. “It’s more than that, though. You’d expect the energy of a crowd, with everyone showing their support, to help, but whatever’s going on inside me blocks it out. I just can’t seem to process it.”

That isn’t the only health issue the musician has been facing recently. Robbie also mentioned he thinks he might be on the autism spectrum, a condition that, as Autism Speaks explains, involves difficulties with social interaction, repetitive actions, and both spoken and nonverbal communication.

“Actually, I don’t,” the musician explained, stating he’d taken an online test that led him to this realization. “However, I do exhibit some characteristics commonly associated with autism. It mainly affects my social skills-how I interact with others.”

Oh my gosh, you guys, Robbie is *so* serious about figuring this out! He’s really hoping to see a doctor soon about what he thinks is going on. He keeps saying that getting a proper diagnosis would finally give him an “understanding of why I feel so uncomfortable in my skin.” It’s just… he needs answers, you know? I’m so worried about him, but I’m also so proud he’s taking this step!

He explained that being in bed is where he feels most comfortable, and anywhere else causes him discomfort. He added that things are improving, saying it was terrible throughout his 20s, difficult in his 30s, and started to get better in his 40s. He feels he’s now making progress, but still doesn’t always feel at ease with himself. He described it as being on an upward curve, but still feeling uncomfortable in his own skin.

For more stars who have gotten candid about their mental health, keep reading. 

Oh my gosh, you guys, I was reading about Gossip Girl, and can you believe it? One of the actors actually opened up about something *so* real! He talked about how, growing up as a child actor, he struggled with what he called “body dysmorphia.” It’s just… so brave of him to share that, you know? I’m seriously sending him all the good vibes. It’s crazy how much pressure they put on kids in the industry!

“I used to really dislike my body,” Penn shared with The Guardian in April 2025, “and wished I could have a different one.”

He explained his weight gain after his parents’ divorce, saying, “It was a time when, after dealing with depression and being alone, I was both intentionally and unexpectedly entering a world where I felt that appearing more traditionally attractive would lead to more success and make me feel more valuable.”

Despite the mental struggles, though, Penn credited his ability to persist to his spirituality.

He explained that it was what helped him get through the disappointment and the challenges he was facing, allowing him to return to things with, he hoped, some personal growth and change.

The Scrubs alum has been vocal about her past difficult relationship with food.

“Some people might label it an eating disorder, but for me, it’s just how I live,” she explained on the The Funny Thing Is podcast. “Food was always my preferred escape, and I did some really wild things with it.”

She added, “I would over-exercise, and there was a sprinkle of bulimia in there.”

Even though she’s admitted she’s found it hard to stick to her diet, she’s also been open about the positive steps she’s making towards her health and fitness goals.

She shared with Bon Appétit in 2017 that at age 23, she completely eliminated sugar and alcohol from her diet and began practicing yoga, along with breathing and stretching exercises. She described this lifestyle change as being as effective as the medication Ritalin.

She explained, “I’m an actress who struggles with eating and how I see my body-those are genuine challenges. However, I’m working on improving my well-being and addressing my health concerns in a natural way by focusing on a healthy diet.”

The Full House alum reflected on her mental health journey and navigating her battle with depression.

Sharing her feelings is really hard, even with those you trust the most,” she explained on her Candace Cameron Bure Podcast. “Personally, I think I *should* be able to handle it, but admitting I can’t feels like a sign of weakness.

The Grammy-winning artist has frequently discussed her methods for safeguarding her well-being, like blocking negative people online, and has also offered guidance to others who might be struggling.

When asked what advice she’d give someone struggling with their mental health, she told Vogue that the most important thing is patience. She explained that she was patient with herself, resisted making any rash decisions, and allowed time to pass. She believes that difficult feelings will eventually subside. “I had patience with myself. I didn’t take that last step. I waited. Things fade.”

As people were adjusting to social distancing in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus, the artist behind “Firework” openly shared how events like these can also be very difficult and cause a lot of stress. It’s important to acknowledge those feelings.

She expressed on Twitter that it’s difficult to decide what’s more challenging – avoiding the virus or dealing with the sadness that comes with this new way of life. Katy explained how she copes with these feelings, saying, “There isn’t much to do except stay in my car. So I spend a lot of time there. It’s where I feel most safe.” That’s her safe space.

The model collaborated with designer Kenneth Cole to support The Mental Health Coalition and discussed her personal struggles with anxiety on Good Morning America.

I remember when my panic attacks started happening again, I finally got the information I needed to understand what was going on. It was such a relief to finally kind of have answers. It took a while, but getting that information was a key step in managing things.

I definitely have ups and downs – some good days and some days where I feel really anxious, so it’s inconsistent,” Kendall explained, stating that this was her motivation for joining the movement. “My goal is to help people feel less isolated and alone.

As someone who’s spent years looking at wellness and lifestyle, I’ve really admired Black Adam’s actor for being so candid. He’s talked openly about his struggles with depression, and it’s so important because it highlights just how tough it can be for men to discuss their mental health. It’s a conversation we absolutely need to keep having!

Everyone experiences difficult times and depression doesn’t care who it affects. It took me a while to understand this, but it’s important to not be afraid to talk about what you’re going through,” he wrote on Twitter. “Men, in particular, often tend to keep their feelings bottled up. Remember, you’re not alone.

Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, played a role in reducing the shame associated with getting help for mental health. He shared his personal experience with therapy in an interview with the Telegraph. As he explained, “The more I’ve spoken about it, the more I’ve realized that many people go through similar things – you’re definitely not alone.”

The Empire star is another advocate for getting professional support, having publicly discussed her experiences with depression.

She shared with Variety, “I work with a therapist. It’s really the only thing that helps me cope.”

Taraji also launched The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation. This organization aims to lessen the shame associated with mental health within the African American community and to increase the number of Black mental health professionals available to provide care.

The Grammy winner shared that dealing with an eating disorder and performance anxiety prompted her to begin a type of PTSD treatment involving MDMA and psilocybin therapy.

“For the first time, I was able to tour without feeling nervous,” she explained to Rolling Stone in May 2025. “It felt like a strange tension throughout my body, and everyone in the audience seemed to be experiencing the same thing-almost like a sudden shift in air pressure. That’s when I understood how much I enjoy-and even rely on-that strong, physical connection with the audience to truly feel my music.”

She explained that prioritizing her mental well-being and choosing to discontinue birth control led to a broader understanding of her gender identity. She described this as her understanding becoming “more expansive.”

She explained that she’d wanted to stop taking birth control, feeling it had severed a connection to a traditionally defined role for women. “It sounds crazy,” she said, “but I felt like I was no longer bound by expectations of femininity. And I really believed that gave me the freedom to explore new possibilities.”

I remember when I was in middle school, I really struggled with anxiety and depression. Honestly, the support I got from my family and seeing a therapist truly saved me. As I shared on Instagram back in 2017, taking that first step to ask for help is so important. Please remember, you are more valuable than you could ever realize.

The singer of “What He Didn’t Do” spoke about her experiences living with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) over many years. She shared what life has been like while dealing with these challenges.

Carly explained that her anxiety began around the time of her divorce during the Covid pandemic. She shared this on the August 2025 episode of Bunnie Xo’s Dumb Blonde podcast. She also mentioned she’s struggled with severe OCD since childhood.

Over the past decade, I became used to keeping things to myself and handling problems on my own,” she explained. “Eventually, a couple of years ago, I realized I needed to return to therapy and really start understanding what was going on. It’s important to note that my obsessive-compulsive disorder wasn’t something that started in 2020-I’ve been dealing with it since I was a child, around 6 or 7 years old.”

The Frozen star has openly discussed her methods for managing her mental well-being for years, both at public speaking events and through posts on her Instagram Stories.

She encourages people to discover what works best for them. According to Health magazine, this could involve things like medication, consciously focusing on ten positive aspects of life for each negative thought, and making sure to get enough physical activity.

The cookbook author is a parent to four children, and she has openly discussed her experiences with postpartum depression – something many new mothers go through but often feel unable to discuss. She wants to help break the silence around this common, but often hidden, struggle.

She explained in a 2017 open letter to Glamour that it became simpler each time she spoke about it. “I want others to understand that this can affect anyone, and I don’t want those who are going through it to feel ashamed or isolated,” she wrote.

While publicizing her book Mirror, Mirror, the model shared with The Edit magazine that she struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts as a teen, explaining she experienced a “darkness” within herself during those years.

Cara shared with the publication, through W, that she used to depend too heavily on love and other people for her happiness. She realized she needed to find joy within herself. “So now I can be by myself, I can be happy. It took me a long time,” she explained.

The singer of “Thank U, Next” has been encouraging her fans to get help when they need it. She responded to a Twitter user who playfully asked about who Ariana’s therapist is, saying, “lmaoaoo this is funny as fk but in all honesty therapy has saved my life so many times.”

Let me tell you something – if you’re hesitant to reach out for help, please don’t be! I truly believe you don’t have to live with constant pain, and it *is* possible to work through trauma. I know I have a lot of personal work ahead of me, but honestly, just recognizing that healing is possible feels like a huge first step. It’s a start, and that’s what matters.

The singer has publicly discussed her struggles and recovery related to addiction, her mental health, and other personal challenges, often incorporating these experiences into her songs.

She consistently encourages her followers to prioritize their mental wellbeing, emphasizing that it’s a continuous effort with inevitable setbacks. She previously shared on Instagram, “A reminder to anyone struggling out there – life is full of highs and lows, but it’s important to persevere.”

The actress has not only portrayed characters facing mental health challenges – like her performance as Rue in the show Euphoria – but she has also openly discussed her own personal experiences with these issues.

In 2013, Zendaya shared on her now-closed app that she experienced anxiety following an appearance on Ellen, where there was a technical issue with her microphone. She’s since found healthy ways to cope with these feelings, explaining, “Sometimes you just have to take a step back so things stop stressin’ you.”

The singer openly shared her experiences with mental health in an interview with WSJ Magazine, explaining, “I experienced extreme highs and lows – when things were good, they were amazing, but when I was down, it would completely overwhelm me for weeks.”

Oh my gosh, you won’t *believe* what she told me! She actually admitted she’s been struggling with mental health issues, which honestly, makes so much sense now looking back. But the *best* part? She finally found the right medication, and she said it’s completely changed her life! I’m just so incredibly happy for her – it’s amazing to see her doing so well!

The Grammy winner dedicated herself to promoting kindness and openly discussing mental health – including her personal experiences.

I’ve personally followed her journey, and it was incredibly moving to hear her speak at the Global Changemakers Award back in 2018 at the Children Mending Hearts’ Empathy Rocks fundraiser. She shared that she’d wrestled for a long time with whether to talk openly about her mental health and mental illness. But she powerfully stated that she truly believes secrets keep you sick. It really resonated with me, and I think it’s a message so many of us need to hear.

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2025-10-03 04:23