Cringetopia

Richard, a thirtyish-year-old male, was presented to a university medical clinic, specializing in anxiety disorders and related conditions, for a diagnostic evaluation and treatment of “tics” and disruptive behaviors. As a polite and inquisitive vegan, Richard experienced moderate levels of distress and exhibited mildly disruptive behaviors when faced with social demands involving select novel people (e.g., being questioned by new people, being addressed by wait staff or clerks in the community). In addition, Richard displayed many diagnostic markers associate with autistic disorder (e.g., limited eye contact, absence of joint attention, poor hygiene or late-onset developmental regressions). The presence of multiple motor injuries (i.e., knee arthroplasties, anorectal avulsion etc...) and a Tourette syndrome (involuntary outburst of obscene words or socially inappropriate and derogatory remarks) originally diagnosed by the family paediatrician as motor tics, were reported. Richard participated in 8 weekly s