Tourette disorder and other tick disorders affect up to one in 50 school-age children in the U.S.

according to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Yet, the disorders are often widely misunderstood.

Many people associate Tourette's with uncontrollable swearing,

but that symptom is actually relatively rare among

the constellation of motor and vocal ticks that make up Tourette's. Meanwhile, for many years,

medications were thought to be the only effective treatment for tick disorders. But in recent decades,

researchers have developed effective behavioral treatments that are now a frontline option.

Today we're going to talk to a psychologist who's been one of the leaders in developing those

treatments. We'll ask him what is the state of science around Tourette's and other tick disorders?

What causes these disorders? How common are they? And at what age do they usually begin?

What treatments are available and when are they necessary?

And where can patients and families go to learn more?

Welcome to Speaking of Psychology, the flagship podcast of the American Psychological Association

that examines the links between psychological science

and everyday life. I'm Kim Mills.

Like yesterday, is Dr. John Piacentini, a professor in the UCLA Department of Psychiatry

and Biobehavioral Sciences at a board-certified clinical psychologist.

He directs the UCLA Child OCD, Anxiety, and Tick Disorders Clinic, which provides

diagnostic and treatment services for those disorders. Dr. Piacentini's research has focused

on developing and testing effective treatments for youth OCD, anxiety,

and ticks.

...