Wyatt If you or your child has been diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome or a tic disorder, chances are you’ve heard the phrase, “they’ll grow out of it.” But what if the tics are interfering with school, sleep, or confidence?
As parents, we often don’t understand how difficult it is to even make friends at a young age with a tic disorder. It’s because kids don’t understand such conditions.
This is where CBIT is changing the entire landscape by providing a way to manage symptoms. Let’s explore more about it.
What is CBIT?
Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics, aka CBIT, is a type of behavioral therapy. It guides people on how to control and even mitigate their tics through different techniques and mindfulness.
This type has proven to be a game-changer for individuals struggling with tics.
Three Phases of CBIT
CBIT, as the best physical and online therapy for tourettes, works in the following three phases:
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Awareness Training
You learn to identify the pre-tic urge. It is similar to the feeling you get before you sneeze. For many, there’s usually a tension or buildup before the tic happens.
In this phase, the therapist focuses on making the patient mindful of and identifying their pre-tic urge.
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Competing Response Training
For this next phase, the patient is taught to perform competing responses instead of doing the tic. This makes it hard for these involuntary movements to perform.
For instance, if your tic is a head jerk, you might learn to gently hold your neck muscles still when you feel the urge coming on. Remember, this is about giving your brain another option.
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Function-Based Interventions
Some tics get worse in specific situations, such as stress or boredom. The therapist, in this last phase, helps identify the triggers and teaches patients to manage or avoid them.
Is CBIT Proven to Work?
Yes, and the research supports this as well. In multiple clinical trials, CBIT has been shown to reduce tic severity in both children and adults.
In fact, a trial published in Springer shows that CBIT reduces tics by as much as 53% as compared to simple supportive therapy. Moreover, they noticed significant improvements in comorbid symptoms after a 6-month follow-up.
Who Can Get CBIT Sessions?
This therapy is effective for individuals with Tourette Syndrome. It’s especially beneficial for children and teens who are beginning to show the effects of their tics in school or social settings.
Even if the tics aren’t that severe, this therapy is empowering for individuals as it teaches them how to manage their urges.
How to Get Started with CBIT?
You can visit your nearest behavioral therapist, psychologist, or speech-language pathologist to determine which ones are offering this management technique.
If you’re someone who can’t attend an appointment in person, you can opt for virtual ones. This way, you can learn to manage your tics in a span of 8 to 10 weeks without leaving your home for it.
Conclusion
If you or someone you know is looking to manage Tourette Syndrome, CBIT could be the best option for them. In the last few years, this evidence-based therapy has empowered hundreds of individuals.
So, you don’t have to hide anymore. Schedule an appointment now and see if this is the right management approach for you.
