The Key Components of C-BIT

C-BIT is a behavioral therapy specifically designed to help individuals with chronic tics, including those with Tourette’s syndrome. For an overview of C-BIT, be sure to first read my blog post here: Understanding Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics.

So what are the key components of C-BIT as a treatment option?

C-BIT typically consists of three core components that are introduced and practiced over a series of therapy sessions:

1. Awareness Training

   • Children with tics may not always be fully aware of when a tic is about to happen. Awareness training helps them become more mindful of the urge or sensation that precedes the tic, called a premonitory urge. By recognizing these cues, children can begin to anticipate when a tic is coming, giving them the opportunity to intervene. A premonitory urge is a physical sensation, often described as a buildup of tension, itching, or discomfort, which is only relieved by performing the tic. For example, a child who has a facial tic may notice a tightening or discomfort in their facial muscles before the tic happens. Awareness training helps the child pay attention to these cues, so they can recognize the urge in real time.

2. Competing Response Training

   • Once a child is aware of the premonitory urge, they are taught to engage in a competing response. This is a voluntary behavior that is incompatible with the tic—meaning it’s physically impossible to perform both the tic and the competing response at the same time. Over time, practicing the competing response helps reduce the frequency and intensity of tics. The goal is for the child to immediately implement the competing response as soon as they feel the premonitory urge, holding the response for at least a few seconds (usually around 10-15 seconds) until the urge passes. This process helps “compete” with the tic by disrupting its automatic execution.

   • Over time and with practice, the competing response becomes more effective, reducing both the frequency and intensity of the tics. The child is essentially retraining their brain to respond to the premonitory urge in a different, more controlled way.

   • The more consistently the child applies the competing response in daily life, the more likely they are to reduce the occurrence of their tics. It’s important to note that the success of competing response training often relies on the child’s motivation and ability to practice the technique over time, which is where parental support and therapist guidance come into play.

3. Functional Intervention

   • C-BIT also addresses how tics affect a child’s daily life. This could involve identifying and modifying situations that trigger or worsen tics, such as stress, fatigue, or specific environmental factors. Functional interventions help reduce the overall impact of tics on the child’s well-being, social interactions, and academic performance.

   • Functional intervention aims to minimize these influences by teaching children and their families coping strategies, such as relaxation techniques, stress management, and environmental modifications.

   C-BIT empowers children by equipping them with practical tools to understand and respond to their tics.

   Inquire more here.