Trichotillomania

[fonzinator]

In case you are wondering what trichotillomania is, it is compulsive hair pulling. Trich Web Site

Does anyone have an experience with this condition? Someone close to me has it and is attempting to break the habit. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[MichaelD]

Shave their head. No hair to pull=problem solved.

If it's a woman, the sheer fear of being bald should snap her right out of it.

 

[Looney]

hmm i remember it being similar or maybe is obsessive compulsive disorder. So perhaps seeing a psychiatrist would be best. There are meds out there that are quite good at dealing with OCD. I suppose you could try a psychologist and behavior/cognitive therapy, but if i remember correctly they aren't too effective with OCD.

 

[fonzinator]

They don't just pull from their head. It can be arms, eyebrows, eyelashes, ect.

 

[Looney]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
Shave their head. No hair to pull=problem solved.

If it's a woman, the sheer fear of being bald should snap her right out of it.

It doesn't... it's a compulsive behavior. Most of these people end up with no hair or big clumps missing, and they still can't seem to stop.

 

[Looney]

I'm not familiar with any books on Trichotillomania... because like i said, i think it's very similar to OCD if not a type of OCD. But here's an excellent book on self-multilation Cutting: Understanding and Overcoming Self-Multilation

The book deals with self-multilation of course, although it's with cutting. Still, i think the behaviors are very similar... both acts helps relieve anxiety. I don't think anybody reading the book will be cured... but it'll help people understand the underlying behavior.

 

[jaeger66]

Originally posted by: MichaelD


If it's a woman, the sheer fear of being bald should snap her right out of it.

It doesn't.

 

[jlee]

Originally posted by: jaeger66

Originally posted by: MichaelD


If it's a woman, the sheer fear of being bald should snap her right out of it.

It doesn't.

^ What he said.

First-hand experience, unfortunately..I'm a guy, but still..it's not as easy as people think.

 

[thirtythree]

You might find this site helpful.

 

[hzl eyed grl]

I've heard of that before. You said that someone close to you has it. Have they gone to see a doc? I think that that would be the best way to find out advice. There are probably online support groups and such, too. I hope your friend gets better.

 

[jlee]

Originally posted by: hzl_eyed_grl
I've heard of that before. You said that someone close to you has it. Have they gone to see a doc? I think that that would be the best way to find out advice. There are probably online support groups and such, too. I hope your friend gets better.

trichees@yahoogroups.com

 

[GermyBoy]

Originally posted by: fonzinator
In case you are wondering what trichotillomania is, it is compulsive hair pulling. Trich Web Site Does anyone have an experience with this condition? Someone close to me has it and is attempting to break the habit. Any advice would be appreciated.

Very very gross habit. If a guy, shave the head, pubes, underarms, back, chest, wherever hair is grow. For a girl, haver her wear a baseball cap?

 

[jlee]

Originally posted by: GermyBoy

Originally posted by: fonzinator
In case you are wondering what trichotillomania is, it is compulsive hair pulling. Trich Web Site Does anyone have an experience with this condition? Someone close to me has it and is attempting to break the habit. Any advice would be appreciated.

Very very gross habit. If a guy, shave the head, pubes, underarms, back, chest, wherever hair is grow. For a girl, haver her wear a baseball cap?

It's not a "habit"..and it's not necessarily "gross". Also, your "solution" isn't practical..

 

[jaeger66]

Originally posted by: GermyBoy


Very very gross habit. If a guy, shave the head, pubes, underarms, back, chest, wherever hair is grow. For a girl, haver her wear a baseball cap?

In the future, how about avoiding topics about which you are completely ignorant?

 

[Howard]

I have a little of that. I pull on my hair just to get rid of the loose ones, but it's quite infrequent.

 

[Platypus]

I used to have that really bad, it's part of my OCD. Haven't for the last 12 years though

 

[OulOat]

Originally posted by: fonzinator
They don't just pull from their head. It can be arms, eyebrows, eyelashes, ect.

Uhh, isn't that all women who wax themselves or use nair?

 

[Looney]

Originally posted by: OulOat

Originally posted by: fonzinator
They don't just pull from their head. It can be arms, eyebrows, eyelashes, ect.

Uhh, isn't that all women who wax themselves or use nair?

har har

 

[hzl eyed grl]

Originally posted by: OulOat

Originally posted by: fonzinator
They don't just pull from their head. It can be arms, eyebrows, eyelashes, ect.

Uhh, isn't that all women who wax themselves or use nair?

I sometimes read responses like this and I'm reminded of just how ingnorant/lame a lot of people here are.

 

[stormbv]

The worst and most worthless advice anyone can give you about obsessive compulsive behavior is to "just stop". A combination of medication and therapy would help, but it's different for every person. Does he or she happen to be in college? If so, a lot of colleges provide counseling for free to their students. You can't beat not paying for professional counseling.

Oh yeah, here's a link to a book that helped me change my obsessive thought patterns, instead of just dulling them with medication: Brain Lock