Tics are involuntary, repetitive movements of the body and/or vocalizations that are repetitive, disruptive, or bothersome. An effective treatment for tic disorders is Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics. It is a behavioral treatment that focuses on 1) awareness, 2)environmental triggers, 3) competing responses, and 4) education about tic management, etiology, and self-esteem building.

Tics are often sensitive to the environment and contexts, and thus, a focus of therapy is on discussing and identifying environmental triggers or cues for tics. CBIT also includes Habit Reversal Training (HRT), which involves developing and implementing competing responses to tics. Throughout treatment, education on tics is provided with a goal of patients being able to educate others about tics as needed. It is not only important to build self-efficacy in managing tics, but also building self-esteem and identity in areas outside of tics, such as hobbies, interpersonal skills, personal passions, academic performance, and roles in family and community. Patients are not just someone who struggles with tics, but also a great sister, grandson, friend, soccer player, artist, mathematician, etc.!

How effective is CBIT? Large, multi-site, National Institutes of Health-funded studies show that more than half of the people who undergo CBIT will have significant reductions in tic severity and improved ability to function. However, it is worth noting that a “cure” for tics does not exist; CBIT is system that adds ‘tools to your toolbelt’ to better manage tics and improve quality of life.