Psychotherapy for tics

People with tics are often given medication to help them with their problem but the drugs used can have limited effectiveness, unwanted side effects and poor adherence. However, a new review of the research has indicated that behavioural programmes and procedures can effectively reduce the symptoms of tic disorders. Habit-reversal training emphasizes sensitivity to tic sensations and replaces the tic behaviour with a more appropriate competing response while exposure prevention and response prevention focus on the process of habituation. All these psychological techniques were found to be effective at reducing symptoms.

You can find out more about this research at

http://psychcentral.com/news/2007/12/17/therapy-as-first-line-treatment-for-tics/1672.html