Habit Disorders

Habit Disorders

What Works

• Habit Reversal Therapy for Tic Disorder
• Treatment increases awareness of the feelings and context associated with the urges and implements a competing and inconspicuous habit in place of the tic.

 

What Seems to Work

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for recurrent hair-pulling (trichotillomania [TTM])
• Treatment involves exposing children to the stimuli associated with the urge while challenging thoughts associated with high-risk situations.

 

Not Adequately Tested

• Massed Negative Practice
• Treatment involves over-rehearsal of target tic in high-risk ticking situations.
• Pharmacotherapy
• Prescription medications to treat habit disorders in children.

 

What Does Not Work

• Plasma Exchange or Intravenous Immunoglobulin Treatment (IVIG)
• Blood transfusions to alter levels of plasma or immunoglobulin.