Tic Disorders Treatment in India

Pooja Johnson, a 28-year-old graphic designer,...

Pooja Johnson, a 28-year-old graphic designer, had a history of subtle facial twitches since her teens. Over the past year, under the stress of a major project deadline, her symptoms escalated dramatically. She developed frequent, forceful head jerks and a loud, repetitive throat-clearing sound that disrupted client meetings and made her self-conscious in public. Her primary care physician referred her to a psychiatrist specializing in movement disorders. The psychiatrist diagnosed her with a persistent motor and vocal tic disorder. He recommended a comprehensive treatment plan starting with Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT), combined with a low dose of guanfacine to take the edge off her anxiety, which exacerbated the tics. Pooja found CBIT challenging at first, learning to recognize her premonitory urges and perform competing responses, but with weekly therapy, she gained control. After three months, her tics were reduced by about 70% in frequency and severity. She felt less exhausted from suppressing tics all day and could focus better at work. Emotionally, she journeyed from feeling like her body was betraying her and deep embarrassment to understanding her condition as a neurological wiring, not a personal flaw. She regained confidence and felt empowered by the management skills she learned.