We all know that habits can be hard to break.

What Does Habit Reversal Training Treat?

It may also help address certain behaviors that contribute to conditions such as anxiety and depression.

Woman with serious expression touching her face and talking to another woman

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During treatment, people learn to better recognize the signs when a behavior or habit is about to begin.

They also develop other behaviors that they can engage in other than the one they are trying to replace.

What Is Awareness Training?

Someone who repeatedly sticks out his tongue might purse his lips instead.

Another goal of a competing response is that it is an action other people aren’t likely to notice.

Parents and friends are also asked to praise the person for their accomplishments thus far.

Relaxation Training

People are often more likely to engage in a behavior when they are experiencing stress.

For example, people with Tourette’s experience tics more frequently when they are in stressful situations.

Stress can also trigger obsessions and compulsions in OCD.

Relaxation techniques that might be used includedeep breathing,progressive muscle relaxation, andguided imagery.

Habit reversal training can help people manage their symptoms.

A randomized controlled trial.Cognit Ther Res.

2019;28(1):57-68. doi:10.1007/s00787-018-1187-z