Al. Peterson et al., BEHAVIORAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENTS FOR TIC AND HABIT DISORDERS- A REVIEW, Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics, 15(6), 1994, pp. 430-441
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
.