Tourette Syndrome/ Tic disorders

Tics are involuntary repetitive behaviors such as movements and vocalizations. While many tics are mild, they can sometimes interfere with a person’s daily functioning. Medical treatments are available, including medication. Behavioral treatment is helpful in teaching people to manage their symptoms.

Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT)

CBIT is a behavioral therapy specifically designed to help those with Tourette Syndrome and tic disorders reduce the frequency and severity of their tics.

CBIT consists of three main components:

1. Working together to help you become more aware of your tics and the urge to perform a tic.

2. Developing a “tool box” of competing responses. A competing response (sometimes called an incompatible behavior) is a behavior that cannot be performed at the same time as the tic. For example, if a person’s tic involves a sniffing through their nose, a competing response may be learning to take slow deep breaths in response to the urge to tic. You can’t take deep breaths and do your tic at the same time!

3. Making changes in your day-to-day life and activities to help reduce the likelihood of tics.

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