Child and adolescent psychiatry: comprehensive behavioural intervention for tics: practice question

A Psychiatry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Psychiatry · Child and adolescent psychiatry: comprehensive behavioural intervention for tics

Sample item

A 9-year-old boy with Tourette disorder has frequent motor and vocal tics which he can feel coming on as an uncomfortable urge, and which cause teasing at school. His parents want a non-drug option. Which treatment has the best evidence?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Habit reversal training as part of comprehensive behavioural intervention

Habit reversal training teaches awareness of the premonitory urge and a competing response, and the comprehensive behavioural intervention for tics is a first-line treatment for mild to moderate tics. Drugs such as aripiprazole or clonidine are reserved for severe cases.

Option by option

  • A. Aversion therapy

    Aversion therapy is not used for tics.

  • B. Habit reversal training as part of comprehensive behavioural intervention (correct)

    Correct. Habit reversal is the evidence-based behavioural treatment for tics.

  • C. Psychoanalysis

    Psychoanalysis has no evidence of benefit for tics.

  • D. Systematic desensitisation

    Desensitisation is for phobias, not tics.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is B, Habit reversal training as part of comprehensive behavioural intervention. Habit reversal training teaches awareness of the premonitory urge and a competing response, and the comprehensive behavioural intervention for tics is a first-line treatment for mild to moderate tics.

Why is "Aversion therapy" not the answer?

Aversion therapy is not used for tics.

Why is "Psychoanalysis" not the answer?

Psychoanalysis has no evidence of benefit for tics.

Why is "Systematic desensitisation" not the answer?

Desensitisation is for phobias, not tics.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Child and adolescent psychiatry: comprehensive behavioural intervention for tics in Psychiatry. Drugs such as aripiprazole or clonidine are reserved for severe cases.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Child and adolescent psychiatry: comprehensive behavioural intervention for tics?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.