The Boy Inside: Trapped By Tourettes follows an extraordinary year in the life of Zach Lamb, a teenager living with one of the most severe cases of Tourette’s Syndrome in America.
His uncontrollable twitches, violent physical outbursts, and constant vocal tics are escalating — putting his body, his family, and his future at risk.
Filmmaker Aaron Lewis captures Zach’s daily struggle with heartbreaking intimacy, showing a young mind trapped in chaos, and a mother’s fierce devotion pushed to its limits.
As Zach’s behavior becomes more extreme and dangerous, his family is forced to consider a radical solution: experimental brain surgery.
But what if it changes who he is forever — or worse?
This powerful and deeply human story is not just about a medical disorder, but about survival, love, sacrifice, and the desperate search for peace inside a storm.
Original Title : The Boy Inside: Trapped By Tourettes
Director : Aaron Lewis
Watch the video by Best Documentary
Video “A Year in Zach’s Head | The Worst Case of Tourette’s in America” was uploaded on 05/10/2025 to Youtube Channel Best Documentary
Это лучшее кино которое я видела за свои 40 лет! Здоровья Зак!!!
This is a neurodiverse condition and all neurodiverse youre born with. All you can do is learn coping techniques. Rgds the hitting etc a younger person has less coping techniques.
The camp scene where they’re all stemming 🤣 that’s cute
These are one of the best parents in the world. Literally. The love is just mindblowing.
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Was just reading about mico dosing and how it can benefit tourettes
Fascinating. I wonder if, one day, they could cure criminal behaviour and psychopathy by altering the mind the same wey…
Бедные родители
U are a devoted family with so much love . ❤️
I hope zach has a happy life . Luv from England 🏴
That surgery is life-changing Zach's smile after the implant is so warm and loving… It just makes everything worthwhile. God bless them all ❤
MRNA lässt grüßen 🎉
The outcome is simply the best! So happy for Zack and his family!!
Molto commovente.. ❤Questa famiglia amorevole è coraggiosa ha apportato una evoluzione insperata alla loro vita.. Una speranza per altri!
Tourette's syndrome can be VERY physically painful as well. I'm constantly pulling muscles in my neck and back from ticking. I also sometimes feel jolts of electricity through my brain. My case is mild, I can't imagine how painful this must be
Back in the early days they thought these people were possessed. I’m grateful we’ve come a long way since then and realize what’s really happening here.
Pray for him!
This family are all angels. God sure do love you a lot!
Such a great documentary. I laughed, cried and felt their frustration. I really wish Zach the best.
I don’t believe those physical movements are involuntary. He is compelled to act, then acts. No way this is involuntary.
Edit —> cancel what I said above. When this boy was laying in the bed right before the hospital scene with the bandages wrapped around his head – he had a tic where he was giving the finger. You could see that was involuntary. Holy smokes I thought this was a behavioral issue. You can see in his eyes he is completely short circuited.
Im nobody to tell something and you probably never see this comment, but have you tried pot micro-dosing? On YouTube I have seen a lot of people with physical and mental illness that work like magic. The most striking case that I think is a Father with heavy parkinson, like 5 minutes after taking 2 hit the guy completely stop moving/shaking, he was even able to talk smoothly. We never know but for tics etc I think THC or maybe even CBD can help. thx for sharing a part of your life, heartbreaking by moment but you are all strong for each other.
Anyone read "Against Medical Advice"? James Patterson and Hal Friedman? A true story of a boy with Tourette's who overcomes so much?
There is something else that you can do! Exposure therapy can help the OCD that helps drive the tics in the first place. I would have really loved to help this kid and see what kind of difference that I can make!
It's a demon who wants attention
He play the Guitar ,when💊takes!,the Life with mental patology is more difficult for the parents and the patience.i would show it to young people who drink Red Bull and then say they feel euphoric when they are healthy. He take punchs the Wall and yuor num,emotionally Is more difficult for her parents when the mum speaks he is not there 😮😢
amazing story. glad he's doing better
Purposefully hitting the Dad over and over again, while laughing? That's Tourettes? The Dad was covered in bruises, notice his arms? There's more going on here than just Tourettes.
It's not typical turret syndrome in this case.The kid take advantage to their parents kindness.
I feel sorry for his neighbors.
His parents have been such wonderful advocates and cheerleaders for their son. His sister is a sweetheart! Thank you so much for doing this documentary. I truly hope this can help others.
I can well imagine that the many vaccinations in childhood can lead to such disorders.
i am curious if he is able to control his hitting fits around others than his family? I did not see him hit anyone at the camp, i saw him hitting things. I would not accept to get hit by my son, and I would try to find a solution for that, such as getting out of his way. Those poor parents are getting older, and getting hit and punched, and food thrown at them. I wonder if they have been letting him get away with things because of his condition. Of course I don't live with them and this is just my opinion. After the surgery, he did seem happier, and I hope that he will get better and better!
Amazing parents! My heart goes out to the family!
Ho Seigneur pitié, c'est des démons derrière cela,délivre le sil te plait 😢📖🙏
Wow. I don’t have Tourette’s. However I do have Severe Restless Leg Syndrome and PLMD. Thus if I am in an airport or on a plane if I don’t medicate proper you will see me thrashing around. It’s not just my legs but can involve my arms as well. I have had it since I was 13 and folks have looked at me when I’m really wriggly. I’m 66 now and am doing better if I regularly take my meds. Thank goodness sometimes my Hubby notices me starting to jiggle my feet and reminds me to take my meds asap. Sleep was a horror until I found the right medications. I still don’t sleep well, but if I can stay still that is an improvement. Love and prayers to this sweet young man. ❤️
This is such good documents we need more cures for other disabilities
Sorry for saying that, i know he is stil a child but marihuana is helping. Maybe there is a way to start with cbd what is not so strong and yes in germany they gave patients like him marihuana and it helps. They smoke after some time more to control that ticks but you have to start somewhere…😊
Edit: they are also not high, just normal. I mean what is normal but they can if you know what i mean. Parkinson also
What really hit me was the fear of losing his personality… but when your personality tries to kill you or others, you have to take the step into the unknown… That's brutal. But from my life-experience: You probably give up a part of your soul and history to give yourself a chance at really having a life. Because at a certain point you have nothing left to lose. Sorry, I probably wrote this because I needed a reminder… BPD that acts up again, and again, and again. 🙄 but in between flare-ups I have so much to be grateful for!
Why do they allow him to beat family and punch holes in walls? The kid has a punch dummy. He needs to use tools designated for his violent behavior. So much allowed unacceptable behavior.
Avrei protetto la sorella, mettendo il ragazzo in un istituto
22:57 i just started crying so hard. That poor boy
Why is it they say bad things? I think this is BS