Many youth with a tic disorder experience distress about having tics and how others may perceive them. Such symptoms are often more impairing and distressing than are the tics, themselves, and negatively impact self-concept, functioning, and quality of life. Although pharmacological and behavioral treatments exist that target the frequency and severity of tics, no intervention has been developed that is specific to youth with tics that helps them cope with their condition and limit associated functional impairment and distress.
