Living with a tic or Tourettes Syndrome (TS) can be a significant struggle for most people, as there can be a lot of shame and embarrassment involved. Up until very recently, there weren’t many good forms of treatment that offered lasting relief. But new science is showing that cognitive-behavioral intervention therapy (CBIT) can help sufferers of TS and tics.

How Does CBIT Work?

Though TS is a neurological disorder and tics are somewhat involuntary, the urge for both is highly sensitive to the surrounding environmental stressors. Those with TS and/or tics usually experience a specific situation that brings their TS or tics on or worsens them. 

CBIT helps children and adults be able to identify those environmental factors that may worsen their symptoms. It also teaches them new skills that will help them predict and manage their symptoms. 

Is CBIT Really Effective for TS and Tics?

Complete elimination of tics and TS symptoms can occur with CBIT, though those occurrences are fairly rare. CBIT can, however, significantly reduce the severity of tics and TS symptoms on more than half of people who undergo the therapy, according to National Institutes of Health-funded studies. For instance, one recent study found that 87% of participants who experienced great results after initial therapy continued to do well six months after treatment. 

CBIT should not be thought of as a cure for tics or TS but rather as a tool to help people manage their symptoms and greatly improve their quality of life.

Getting Started with CBIT Therapy

If you are interested in experiencing CBIT therapy for yourself, it’s important to find a therapist who has been trained and certified in CBIT with a proven track record. Your therapist can begin to help you identify triggers and offer management solutions for symptoms.

If you’d like to explore treatment options, please give my office a call.

SOURCES:

• https://tourette.org/research-medical/cbit-overview/
• https://cbittherapy.com/
• https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/cbit-therapy-tics-tourettes-acton-ma/809484

According to the TLC Foundation for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors, the term body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRB) describes a group of behaviors thought to be related to anxiety disorders, impulse control disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The behaviors can include hair pulling, skin picking, nail-biting, knuckle cracking, and tooth grinding, to name some. 

Treatment Options

The question of why people engage in these repetitive behaviors has challenged mental health professionals for many years. While we don’t know the exact reasons or mechanisms for development, we now recognize specific treatments that have been proven effective.

It’s important to mention that professional help should be received from a mental health provider that has been specially trained to treat BFRB’s. This can be the difference between receiving treatment that has little or no impact and treatment that is very helpful.

The biggest treatment recommendation for BFRBs is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps individuals deal with repetitive behaviors by helping them identify the triggers that cause the behavior in the first place. Once the trigger has been identified, therapy focuses on changing the reaction to the trigger, or the behavior. 

Another treatment option that may prove effective is called Habit Reversal Training. This therapy helps people recognize their patterns and manage any negative emotions associated with them.

To reiterate, finding a mental health professional who is well-versed in using behavioral science and behavioral interventions is key. When looking for therapists in your local area, be sure they have experience with BFRB treatments. Get on the phone with them and don’t be shy about asking them some questions.

If you or someone you know is suffering from BFRBs and would like to explore treatment options, please get in touch with me. I would be happy to discuss how I may be able to help.

SOURCES:

• https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/co-occurring-disorders/body-focused-repetitive-behaviors
• https://www.anxiety.org/what-is-body-focused-repetitive-behavior-bfrb