Understanding Trichotillomania – Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Trichotillomania is a disorder associated with the desire to make the self-pulling of the muscles. The pulling is commonly repeated and not easy to stop. It may lead to baldness and render everyday life difficult. Having this is not uncommon and there is assistance in case you suspect.

What is going on and why

There are several reasons as to why people pull hair. It can be useful to relieve tension, some boredom or intense emotions. In other people, there are the hairs that are wrong and pulling them off provides a temporary relief or pleasure. Researchers believe that it can be caused by a number of factors such as family patterns, chemical release of the brain and how one develops to bear stress. Trichotillomania belongs to the category of so-called body-focused repetitive behaviours (BFRBs). Such attitudes represent some of the features of OCD but also their peculiarities.

The recognition of it How to recognise it

The signs are generally easy to find out provided that you know what to search. The more common of these include:

• Detecting hairs on clothes, the floor or in a pocket.
• There is anticipation of a pull followed by relaxation after the pull.
• Attempting to cover up baldness with hats, scarves, make-up or wigs.
• Efforts to prevent it fail in the long way.

Then, in case they describe your experience, read how things that can help.

The emotional and social impact

The process of pulling hair is more than an issue of cosmetics. Individuals tend to develop shame, guilt and have low self-esteem. Others wear lesser hair or even avoid colleagues or crowds, since they are afraid their hair loss will be noticed. Such emotions make behaviour more difficult to confront. Alternatively, discussing the habit with a person you trust, or with a trained clinician can also assist in alleviating isolation and, thus, help change the habit. The site provides soft guides and a brief test that you may employ to find out whether your experience meets typical trends.

The Treatment options of Trichotillomania Practically

Hair pulling can be minimized by a number of proved ways. Typically, therapy is a combination of talk work, applied skills, and medication when that is beneficial. Plans work best when made with a clinician, but most individuals begin to feel better when they see simple steps to follow.

Habit Reversal Training (HRT) — a practical core approach

The primary skill applied in case of the problem of hair-pulling is HRT. It educates you to observe the urge and small action which is different to utilize. It is easy enough to do steps:

• Find out to identify the instances when you are going to moor.
• Select a safe substitute behaviour (e.g., clenching a fist, stress ball, rubbing an arm).

Repeat the replacement several times so that you feel natural about it.

The old habit is replaced with the new habit with practice. HRT is considered to be the most benefiting single change by many people.

Other therapy approaches that help

Acceptance therapies and attitude therapies towards how we react to urges are also effective therapies. Learning these methods makes you become aware of the urge, but not to act upon it. The strength of the urge is diminished by mindfulness breathing, some grounding practices and acceptance phrases. In case of anxiety or depression, their treatment depresses hair pulling as well. A mix of a plan depending on your needs could be a perfect solution.

Medication -- how it can help Sometimes medication can be useful

Medication can help some people especially where there is a lot of anxiety and/or depression that accompanies the pulling. Medication is not the whole solution in itself, but can simplify the application of the therapy skills. A physician or a psychiatrist may talk and advise about options and expectations.

Steps to self-help to start today

You do not have to wait until your therapy commences to start making leaseful upgrades. Try these little things:

• Find something to keep your hands occupied with – fidget, craft or object nearby.
• Small obstacles (put on a glove, tie your hair back with a band or wear a hat) prevent the pulling.
• Monitor when it is pulled. Chronicle time, mood and space. This sucks out the patterns.
• Discuss and use short grounding exercises (5 deep breaths and feeling the bottom of the feet on the floor).

These behaviours are conducive to a more serious Trichotillomania Treatment and reduction of shame.

Friendship and fellowship are important

Either online or local supportive groups provide explanations and/or helpful suggestions. The listening to experiences of others helps diminish shame and provides conceptions that have been effective in real life situations. Find someone who can encourage accountability- usually a good friend who can remind you of your plan without holding any judgment. The site will also have community targeted post and resources that would enable you connect.

Handling adversities

An alleviation never goes smoothly. Throw a slip is not a slip-up. Be aware of the slip, treat yourself kindly and identify one small next action. The repetition is more important than a perfection. Every little success habit-trains your brain and creates new habits.

Simple safety notes

In case you might pull hair, causing injury or you are swallowing the hair strands, inform a clinician immediately. Such cases are occasionally required to be medically reviewed. In addition, listen to your thoughts and feelings and get immediate help should you feel hopeless or be thinking of hurting yourself.

Last thoughts and a soft scheme

Trichotillomania is not something imaginary and it does not require imaginary solutions. What one definite action can you take today:

• Choose one of your triggers which you can deal with.
• Select an easy substitute behavior.
• Do that action 1 week but keep a record of the progress.

These steps are better accomplished in conjunction a trained therapist where possible. Little by little, the steps go a long way. To have them all, see all the guides, self-tests, and step-by-step programs at the Trichotillomania and hair-pulling field of OCD-Anxiety site. You may not be called upon to do this on your own.