Dear Ann Landers,
met a very attractive guy about a month ago. He was introduced to me by my cousin. We are all 17 years of age. Something happened last Saturday night that just about blew my mind. Please tell me what to do. This cousin, her steady, the attractive guy (I'll call him Phil) and I went to a movie. Right in the middle of a sad scene, when it was so quiet in the theater you could hear a pin drop, Phil stood up and yelled out some of the dirtiest words I've ever heard. All the while, he was throwing his arms around like a crazy man. I tried to get him to sit down and be quiet, but he paid no attention to me. In no time at all, the manager of the theater came over and told Phil he would have to leave. I didn't want Phil to go alone, because I was afraid he was off his rocker-so we all left together. When we were walking to the parking lot, Phil said he didn't feel well and wanted to go home. So we took him home, and I haven't heard from him since. Please, Ann, tell me what this is all about. -Grossed Out in Denver

Dear Denver,
My guess is that Phil has Tourette's syndrome. This illness is often misdiagnosed as an emotional problem. We now know it is a hereditary disorder involving the central nervous system. Tourette's usually begins between the ages of 2 and 14. The patient blinks his eyes, makes odd faces, jerks his head and shoulders and ut-ters sounds (or says words) that are most inappropriate. These acts are involuntary and cannot be controlled. As for you, Denver, now that you know the boy is ill, I hope you will be compassionate and share this information with him, in case he and his parents are unaware that he has a medical problem that is treatable.