Wilson's disease (WD) is an autosomal recessive disorder of copper metabolism with an incidence of about 30 per million (i.e. fewer than 2,000 in the UK). Nevertheless, it is important for two main reasons: its manifestations are protean and may lead it to present to a range of specialists; and its otherwise lethal course can be halted by treatment with chelating agents such as penicillamine and trientine. Published cases and systematic study have shown that neuropsychiatric symptomatology is important in a high proportion. In fact, about one-fifth either present psychiatrically or are at least seen by a psychiatrist before WD is diagnosed.