Living with tics, Tourette's syndrome, or trichotillomania can be exhausting.
You may find yourself constantly aware of your symptoms, worrying whether other people notice, or feeling frustrated that despite your best efforts, you cannot simply stop. You may have spent years trying to manage it on your own, only to find yourself stuck in the same cycle.
For some people, the biggest challenge is not the tic or hair-pulling itself, but the anxiety, self-consciousness, and mental energy that goes with it. You may avoid certain situations, feel embarrassed about drawing attention to yourself, or find yourself constantly thinking about how you are coming across to others.
Stress and anxiety can often make symptoms worse, creating a cycle that feels difficult to break.
Understanding Tics and Tourette Syndrome
Tourette Syndrome is a condition of the nervous system that causes people to have tics. Tics are sudden movements, twitches, or sounds that occur repeatedly and can be difficult to control.
For example, a person may repeatedly blink, shrug their shoulders, clear their throat, or make sounds involuntarily. Even when someone wants to stop the tic, they may experience a strong urge to perform it.
There are different types of tics, including:
Motor and vocal tics
Simple and complex tics
Many people notice that stress, anxiety, fatigue, or pressure can increase the frequency or intensity of their tics.
Understanding Trichotillomania
Trichotillomania, also known as hair-pulling disorder, involves recurrent urges to pull hair from the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, or other areas of the body, despite attempts to stop.
Many people describe feeling caught between wanting to stop and feeling unable to resist the urge. Over time, this can lead to frustration, shame, self-criticism, and a sense of defeat.
It can also impact confidence, relationships, work, and daily life, particularly when significant time and energy are spent trying to manage or hide the behaviour.
How I Can Help
Many people come to therapy feeling discouraged. You may have tried to stop before, told yourself you should be able to control it, or worried that nothing will change.
My approach combines evidence-based behavioural interventions with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
For tics and Tourette Syndrome, this may include Comprehensive Behavioural Intervention for Tics (CBIT), which incorporates Habit Reversal Training, awareness training, and strategies for managing stress and anxiety.
For trichotillomania, treatment typically involves Habit Reversal Training alongside ACT.
Together, we will explore not only the behaviour itself, but also the thoughts, emotions, and patterns that may be keeping you stuck.
Moving Towards a Fuller Life
The goal is not simply symptom reduction.
Many people want to feel less self-conscious, less controlled by anxiety, and more able to focus on the things that matter to them. They want to feel more confident in relationships, at work, and in social situations. They want more freedom to engage in life without constantly worrying about their symptoms.
While tics or hair-pulling may be part of your experience, they do not have to define your life.
My role is to help you develop practical tools, build psychological flexibility, and create more space for the things that matter most to you.