Behavioral activity associated with onset in chronic tic and habit disorder.
Seventy-six people (aged 18-62 years) diagnosed with either a chronic tic disorder or a habit disorder, entering a treatment study, kept a baseline daily diary for at least ten days, noting tic frequency and activity at time of onset. Together with an evaluator, participants completed a form ranking three high-risk activities where the tic or habit was likely to appear, and three low-risk activities where the tic was absent or barely present. Subjective appraisals distinguishing the two types of activities were also elicited and their relevance to the tic was measured on a seven-point scale using an adaptation of Kelly's repertory grid technique. Overall, the most frequent high-risk and low-risk activities were, respectively, passive attendance and physical activity. There were, however, significant differences in types of high-risk activities amongst the tic and habit disorders. Conversely, appraisals of the high-risk activities seemed to center on negative evaluations of tenseness, boredom, dissatisfaction, and disinterest.
O'Connor
Kieron
K
Centre de recherche Fernand-Seguin, Montréal, Québec, Canada. kieron.oconnor@crfs.umontreal.ca
Brisebois
Hélène
H
Brault
Mathilde
M
Robillard
Sophie
S
Loiselle
Josée
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001519:Behavior; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018570:Risk Assessment; D020323:Tics / Q000523:psychology*