Final answer:
CBIT is a non-medication therapy, part of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, aimed at reducing tic symptoms in individuals with disorders like Tourette Syndrome by teaching competing behaviors and incorporating relaxation and environmental changes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Comprehensive Behavioral Interventions for Tics (CBIT) is a non-medication treatment designed to help individuals with tic disorders, such as Tourette Syndrome. The technique is a type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which is known for its effectiveness in treating a variety of mental health disorders, such as OCD and anxiety, as well as behavioral conditions like insomnia. CBIT involves teaching patients to recognize the onset of a tic and then to engage in a competing behavior that is incompatible with the tic. This process is known as Habit Reversal Training (HRT).
Additionally, CBIT includes other strategies for managing tics, such as relaxation training and making changes to day-to-day activities that may contribute to tic exacerbation. The aim is to reduce the severity and the impact of tics on the individual's life. Although CBIT does not cure tics, it has been recognized for improving quality of life by reducing tic symptoms. Studies, such as those conducted by behavioral psychologists like D. Bolton and O.I. Lovaas, have provided evidence in support of behavioral treatments for different disorders, reinforcing the importance of approaches like CBIT.