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How Can severe Trichotillomania Be Treated?
Hello, I believe I have trichotillomania. I just started pulling my hair out about a year ago, but I am curious about the cause. I have gone to many psychiatrists over the years, but I never can seem to help myself. I am 15 years old, and I have had a lot of losses since I was 7 years old. I can never really open myself to a counselor, but my state of mind seems to be getting worse and worse. I feel a bit helpless, and I would like to know if there is anything I can do at home that can stop me from pulling my hair, and perhaps if there is any suggestions that you may have for me for opening up to counselors.
Thu, 20 Apr 2017
Hello,
Thanks for the query.
Trichotillomania or hair pulling disorder, as such has no FDA approved medication specifically directed towards its treatment. However, had i been your treating doctor, i would have prescribed you certain drugs to alleviate your symptoms. Some of them would be:
1.Taking an antidepressant such as clomipramine
2. N-acetylcysteine, that influences mood related Neurotransmitters
3.Olanzapine , an antipsychotic
But these medicines should be taken strictly at the advice of your psychiatrist , who will take care of the risk vs benefit ratio and guide you accordingly.
Aslo, there are different psychosocial therapies that you can engage in which might be useful as well.
1. Habit reversal therapy: This is one of foremost importance and appreciated to give utmost benefit. This therapy helps you redirect your thoughts to a different source whenever you have the urge to pull your hair. For example, whenever you have the urge you can put your hands behind your ear or you may clench your fist.So it is a kind of behaviour substitutiuon therapy.
2. Cognitive therapy : This form of therapy may help you to identify and examine distorted beliefs that you may have in relation to hair pulling. Hence it leads to cognition improvement.
3. Acceptance and commitment therapy: Remember that the very fact that you accept your hair pulling urge as a problem, half the problem is solved. Be commited to not give upto that urge.
I would also like to add here that you can do some homework yourself before you go to a doctor or a counsellor . As for example:
1.Make sure you make a list of all the symptoms that you are experiencing
2. Keep in mind key information such as major or recent stresses in your life
3. List of medications that you are taking and their dosages as well
4. and a list of queries that you would like your doctor to answer.
Be mentally prepared with these as it will help you make the best use of your appointment time.
Hope this helps.
Follow up questions are welcome.
Regards,
Dr.Pallavi Jain
MBBS,MD Biochemistry
Thanks for the query.
Trichotillomania or hair pulling disorder, as such has no FDA approved medication specifically directed towards its treatment. However, had i been your treating doctor, i would have prescribed you certain drugs to alleviate your symptoms. Some of them would be:
1.Taking an antidepressant such as clomipramine
2. N-acetylcysteine, that influences mood related Neurotransmitters
3.Olanzapine , an antipsychotic
But these medicines should be taken strictly at the advice of your psychiatrist , who will take care of the risk vs benefit ratio and guide you accordingly.
Aslo, there are different psychosocial therapies that you can engage in which might be useful as well.
1. Habit reversal therapy: This is one of foremost importance and appreciated to give utmost benefit. This therapy helps you redirect your thoughts to a different source whenever you have the urge to pull your hair. For example, whenever you have the urge you can put your hands behind your ear or you may clench your fist.So it is a kind of behaviour substitutiuon therapy.
2. Cognitive therapy : This form of therapy may help you to identify and examine distorted beliefs that you may have in relation to hair pulling. Hence it leads to cognition improvement.
3. Acceptance and commitment therapy: Remember that the very fact that you accept your hair pulling urge as a problem, half the problem is solved. Be commited to not give upto that urge.
I would also like to add here that you can do some homework yourself before you go to a doctor or a counsellor . As for example:
1.Make sure you make a list of all the symptoms that you are experiencing
2. Keep in mind key information such as major or recent stresses in your life
3. List of medications that you are taking and their dosages as well
4. and a list of queries that you would like your doctor to answer.
Be mentally prepared with these as it will help you make the best use of your appointment time.
Hope this helps.
Follow up questions are welcome.
Regards,
Dr.Pallavi Jain
MBBS,MD Biochemistry
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