The epidemiology of Tourette's syndrome: a pilot study.

A new, precoded, self-report questionnaire was used to collect information on 75 patient members of the Tourette Syndrome Association. This diverse group of Tourette's syndrome (TS) patients supplied by mail detailed medical, symptom, developmental, family, and personal history information. Analysis of these data supported the usefulness and validity of the questionnaire, and also indicated that the diagnosis of TS is being made earlier; attentional difficulties may be basic to the disorder; haloperidol is an effective treatment for many patients, but alternative treatments are needed because unpleasant side effects of haloperidol often lead to discontinued use, and TS is disabling for many with most patients reporting serious problems in one or more areas of functioning.