
This webinar provides an overview of body-focused repetitive behaviours in the context of comorbidity with tic disorders. Classification, underlying mechanisms and shared characteristics are presented here.
Dr Katarzyna Rylska is a recent graduate of the Medical University of Lodz, the largest medical University in Poland. As a participant of ERASMUS + Programme she studied at the University of Naples Federico II (Scuola di Medicina e Chirurgia).
Katarzyna also completed two separate internships, one in Calgary, Canada and second in Graz, Austria, each lasting two months. Currently she works at the hospital in Poland as an intern. She aspires to pursue her medical career in neurology and is currently is co-leading a study on body-focused repetitive behaviours in patients with tic disorders under the supervision of Dr. Natalia Szejko, MD PhD, our current Treasurer.
She is also one of the winners of the Mary Robertson Travel Grants 2025 at our recent Conference in Athens.

Recommended articles:
- Greenberg, E., Hong, J., Weatherall, J., & Woods, D. W.(2018).Prevalence and predictors of hair-pulling disorder and excoriation disorder inTourette syndrome.Journal ofObsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, 18, 57–63. doi
- Bhikram, T., Arnold, P. D., Schachar, R. J., & Vidal, R.(2019).The prevalence and clinical correlates of body-focused repetitive behaviors inpediatric Tourette syndrome.Journalof Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 40(6), 429–436. doi
- Szejko, N., Jakubovski, E., Fremer, C., Müller-Vahl, K. R., &Roessner, V.(2025).Frequency of body-focused repetitive behaviors and comparison withself-injurious behaviors in patients with tic disorders.Scientific Reports, 15,Article 1132. doi
- Hsueh, Y. J., Lin, C. F., Lai, C. M., & Gau, S. S. F.(2022).Prevalence of nail biting and its relationship with tics in children andadolescents with Tourette syndrome.BMJOpen, 12(3), e058448. doi
- Badenoch, J. B., Rukmini, V., Tsivgoulis, G., & Ferrari, A. J.(2020).Sensory symptoms in body-focused repetitive behaviors, restless legs syndrome,and Tourette syndrome: An overlap?Neuroscienceand Biobehavioral Reviews, 108, 367–380. doi
Contact author.
Thank you Kasia and we hope to see you at our next meeting!
The Frontiers editorial office will be able to provide more information/answer any questions.
Discover the spectacular destination where we shall meet again next summer!



Invited speakers
- Le relazioni si terranno in lingua inglese con traduzione simultanea in italiano
- Accreditamento ECM per medici, psicologi, infermieri
"A brilliant and empathetic comedy narrating the daily life of a boy with Tourette."
(See detailed programme below)
- Prof Andreas Hartmann, France
Neurologist, Department of Neurology, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, FR - Dr Christelle Nilles, France
Neurologist, Department of Neurology, Rothschild Foundation Hospital, Paris, FR
- Michele Dunlap, Germany
President & Acting Treasurer - Marla Shea, UK/USA
Secretary
- Christina Papakaliatis, Founder
-Healthcare professionals: a round table for discussion with the speakers will be held in the afternoon.
Online registration is mandatory to secure your participation.
- This event is strictly available to adults and minors aged 16-17 years old. Underaged attendees will not be permitted access.
- The seminar is offered for educational purposes; clinical consultations with any of the invited healthcare professionals will not be provided onsite.
- Only registered participants may attend the event. We will regrettably not be able to admit other non-registered visitors accompanying you.
- Tourette Greece
- TTAG
- ESSTS
- Assessment (including differential diagnosis)
- Natural course and prognosis
- Epidemiology
- Causes & mechanisms
- Q&A
- ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
- OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)
- ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder)
- Mood (anxiety & depression)
- Sleep
- Q&A
- Available treatments
- Clinical cases
- Comprehensive Q&A with the audience
- Tuesday, 27 May 2025: 18:00-20:00 BST. Led by: Virginie Czernecki & Katrin Woitecki
- Tuesday, 30 September 2025: 18:00-20:00 BST. Led by Tara Murphy & Jolande van de Griendt
- Tuesday, 25 November 2025: 18:00-20:00 GMT. Led by: Cara Verdellen & Katrin Woitecki
Registration rate per online consultation (2 hours): €35.
(See detailed programme below)
- Dr Christos Androutsos
Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Head Consultant at the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department, SGHA - Dr Anastasia Dougali
Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department, SGHA
- Dr Marinos Kyriakopoulos
Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Assistant Professor in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Athanasia Makri
Psychologist
MSc in Clinical Psychology
Online registration is mandatory to secure your participation.
- This event is strictly available to adults and minors aged 16-17 years old. Underaged attendees will not be permitted access.
- The seminar is offered for educational purposes; clinical consultations with any of the invited healthcare professionals will not be provided on site.
- Only registered participants may attend the event. We will regrettably not be able to admit other non-registered visitors accompanying you.
- Behavioural approaches being adapted for acceptance – developmental factors
- Working with school, work & family
- Using Schema Therapy techniques to deal with negative childhood experiences that need addressing
- Parents Living Well with Tics; engaging the system to enhance acceptance and well being
Case discussion led by Noa Ben-Aroya, Dana Feldman and John Piacentini
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