BEHAVIORAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENTS FOR TIC AND HABIT DISORDERS- A REVIEW

Children with tic and habit disorders are often seen by pediatricians, psychologists, or psychiatrists for evaluation and treatment. Current knowledge of the treatment-outcome research in these areas can serve as an important guide in the evaluation and treatment planning process . This article reviews the behavior therapy and pharmacological treatm ent of motor and vocal tic disorders, self-destructive oral habits, tr ichotillomania (hair pulling), onychophagia (nail biting), and thumb s ucking. The research evidence indicates that all of these disorders ca n be effectively treated with behavioral or pharmacological approaches .