What are Tic Disorders?
Tic disorders are a group of 4 disorders, all of which involve “tics” – defined here as sudden, rapid, recurrent, nonrhythmic motor movements or vocalizations. The disorders are arranged in a hierarchy by degree of involvement, with Tourette’s disorder at the top.
Tourette’s disorder involves multiple motor tics and at least one vocal tic, present for more than one year, an with the onset prior to age 18. Tourette’s disorder is described more fully here.
Next is Persistent (Chronic) Motor or Vocal Tic Disorder. This disorder also features multiple motor or vocal tics, but not both. Like Tourette’s, the tics have been present for more than one year and with an onset before the age of 18.
Provisional Tic Disorder involves single or multiple motor and or vocal tics with an onset before age 18, but occurring for less than one year. The full criteria for Tourette’s or persistent (chronic) motor or vocal tic disorder cannot have been met previously.
Other Specified and Unspecified Tic Disorders are last, and are conditions that involve tics that cause significant distress or impairment but do not otherwise meet the criteria of the disorders described above.
Treatment for Tic Disorders
CEH clinicians provide evidence-based psychological treatment for Tourette’s disorder and other tic disorders, Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT). CBIT is an effective, once weekly, highly structured therapy. Treatment begins with a thorough functional behavior analysis of these motor and vocal behaviors. Utilizing the information gathered in the assessment, clinicians help individuals to increase their awareness of tics and urges to tic, develop and implement specific competing responses when an urge to tic is noticed, and make changes to daily routines and activities that can be helpful in reducing tics.