Habit Inversion Training For Nervous Tics

A large part of the population suffers or has suffered from a tic or nervous habit throughout their lives. Although these two elements are not conceptually the same, they usually appear together and the intervention for both is similar. One of the most effective techniques, which we are going to talk about in today’s article, is habit reversal training for nervous tics.

Despite the stigma that still falls on these habits, they are more common behavior than it seems. 1% of the world’s population has tics, and the figures rise to much higher levels when it comes to nervous habits. For example, 25% of young people and around 10% of those over 35 bite their nails. But what exactly do these two concepts consist of?

These two elements share some defining characteristics, but they also have differences. In both cases, these are productions that the person makes repeatedly, involuntarily and without purpose. But, while tics are simpler and time-limited behaviors (such as wrinkling the nose), nervous habits are more complex and longer productions (such as nail biting).

This type of behavior, which begins spontaneously, can become automated and chronic, with negative consequences on a physical and social level. Therefore, habit reversal training aims to help the person become aware of their behavior and offer them an incompatible alternative.

What is habit reversal for nervous tics?

Identify problem behavior

The tic or habit to be eliminated must be defined as precisely as possible. Likewise, its precipitating factors must be identified. For example, someone has a nervous habit of scratching their head and does it more often when they are nervous or when their hair is down.

Monitor

The person is then instructed to complete a self-record in which they note each time the problem behavior occurs throughout their daily life. It must also note the time and place where it takes place.

In this way, it is easier to become aware of the frequency with which the tic or nervous habit appears and to identify what kinds of situations are most related to its presence. It is also used to establish a baseline from which progressive reductions in habit are programmed.

Set an incompatible response

The incompatible response is a behavior that the person can execute at the moment in which the tic or nervous habit begins, and that competes with the latter. To be effective, it must meet certain requirements such as using the same muscle group as the response to be eliminated, and being able to go unnoticed in public.

For this reason, a specific behavior must be chosen based on the tic to be eliminated. For example, if the person is in the habit of scratching their head, they can hold a pen tightly between their fingers. Whatever the incompatible response, the individual must initiate it each time he begins to perform the problem behavior or when he foresees that he is going to do it. Also, you have to hold it for one minute.

Reinforcement program

It may also be appropriate to implement a reinforcement program whereby the person is rewarded for the effort to inhibit the habit and achieve the proposed goals. The reinforcement may simply be the social approval of those close to you, or you may fix other activities or objects that you find enjoyable.

For example, if during a day you reduce the frequency of the habit according to the established goal, you can reward yourself with an hour of video games. If you meet the reduction throughout the week, on Friday as a reward you can go to dinner at your favorite restaurant.

Efficacy of habit reversal training for nervous tics

This tool offers success rates of over 90%. It is the most frequently used and most effective technique in reducing or eliminating repetitive and maladaptive behaviors. Despite being designed for the treatment of tics, it has been successfully implemented in the treatment of numerous nervous habits.

It is a relatively simple training that offers great improvements in short periods of time. Therefore, it is considered the treatment of choice for this type of problem.