title: [Tics and Tourette syndrome in literature, cinema and television].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Different neurological diseases have often been portrayed in literature, cinema and television. Tics and Tourette syndrome, for example, are commonly represented from different perspectives, which are sometimes very realistic but in some cases are used for more dramatic purposes or to make a character look ridiculous. One of the main effects of these inadequate views is to further stigmatise those who suffer these movement disorders.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To review the way tics and Tourette syndrome have been portrayed in certain literary works, films and television.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tics are rapid, stereotypic, involuntary, recurring, non-purposeful movements of the skeletal and pharyngeal-laryngeal muscles. In Gilles de la Tourette syndrome a number of tics are associated to involuntary vocalisations (echolalia, coprolalia). They begin in childhood and are usually associated to obsessive-compulsive behaviours. These disorders have appeared in literature in works such as Little Dorrit, Angel Guerra, La torre de los siete jorobados or Motherless Brooklyn. Film-makers have also shown an interest in tics and Tourette syndrome and they have been portrayed in films such as Young and Innocent, The Tic Code or Matchstick Men. Likewise, a number of television series also contain characters with these disorders, including Shameless, Ally McBeal, Quincy, M.E. or L.A. Law.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tics and Tourette syndrome have frequently been portrayed in literature, cinema and television, sometimes in a very realistic manner. In other cases, however, the way they are dealt with has only helped to create false beliefs and stereotyped images of the disorders.
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, E-28922 Alcorcón, Madrid, España. susana.collado@urjc.es
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Collado-Vázquez
authors.forename: Jesús M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Carrillo
mesh_terms: D004324:Drama / Q000266:history; D005260:Female; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D008093:Literature, Modern / Q000266:history; D008297:Male; D008513:Medicine in Literature; D008512:Medicine in the Arts; D009040:Motion Pictures / Q000266:history; D057545:Social Stigma; D013690:Television / Q000266:history; D020323:Tics / Q000266:history / Q000523:psychology; D005879:Tourette Syndrome / Q000266:history / Q000523:psychology