Tourette's syndrome. Tics, jerks, and quirks.

Over the past 20 years, public and physician awareness of tic disorders, including Tourette's syndrome, has increased remarkably. In fact, Tourette's syndrome is now "diagnosed" by many families before they consult a physician. Patients seek help not only for the involuntary movements and noises that characterize the illness but also for the accompanying learning, behavioral, and social problems. The authors of this article define the various tic disorders and discuss diagnosis and treatment of the most severe type, Tourette's syndrome.