What Is Trichotillomania?
Trichotillomania, also known as hair pulling, is the repetitive pulling of one’s own hair. Trichotillomania is one of a group of behaviors known as body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs). Many people feel compelled to pull the hair on their scalp, but others may pull their eyelashes, beards, or eyebrows.
Symptoms of Trichotillomania include:
- repetitive pulling of the hair, often without any awareness
- a sense of relief after pulling out hair
- inability to stop hair pulling, despite repeated attempts to stop
- anxiety and stress related to hair pulling
- a need to perform other repetitive activities related to the hair (e.g., counting or twisting hairs)
- Trichophagia- biting, chewing or eating of pulled hair
- playing with pulled-out hair or rubbing it across your lips or face
- skin irritation or tingling at affected sites
- noticeable hair loss or bald patches due to hair pulling
BFRBs also include such behaviors as skin picking and nail-biting, which can result in damage to the body. Hair pulling, skin picking, and nail-biting can also negatively affect your self-esteem and how you feel about yourself.
Those who struggle with trichotillomania often feel shame and embarrassment. This may lead you to feeling anxious and depressed because you are not living the life you want to live.
You’re afraid to go out because others may judge you. You worry that they’ll notice, that they’ll say something or worse… whisper among themselves.
As a result, you isolate yourself and hide from family and friends. You don’t really need other people to judge you because you judge yourself. Your life revolves around your episodes of pulling and picking.
Even when you are not in an active episode, pulling and picking behaviors affect how you think about and plan your day.
You wonder, “can I wear a hat there?”
“What if someone asks me why I don’t have lashes?”
“Will they notice my arm/fingers are bandaged?”
Is Relief From Hair Pulling And Skin Picking Possible?
Some days or weeks you feel good because you haven’t pulled or picked, and you see some progress in hair or nail growth. Then you catch yourself pulling again and feel defeated. You tell yourself that you’ve failed.
Days and weeks of progress: gone. You are angry at yourself and feel like you let yourself down. It feels like you are on an emotional roller coaster.
I want you to know that together, we can treat this. We will uncover what triggers your episodes of hair-pulling and/or skin picking, and we will design a plan that will help you to feel in control of yourself.
What Causes Trichotillomania?
Some have reported that pulling or picking provides them with temporary relief from stress or emotional pain. Others have shared that they pull their hair when bored.
Researchers have also found that trichotillomania is more common in those who have a family history of the disorder as well as those who have experienced childhood trauma.
While the cause of trichotillomania and other BFRBs is unclear, the good news is that we know how to treat trichotillomania effectively.
What Does Treatment for Trichotillomania Look Like?
Treatment is tailored to fit your needs. Evidence-based treatment for BFRBs includes a specific cognitive-behavioral therapy called Habit Reversal Training (HRT) and enhanced HRT protocol – the Comprehensive Behavioral Model (ComB).
You will learn to identify specific strategies that will reduce pulling and picking and minimize the negative impact the behaviors have on your life. Learning to identify the specific cues that signal the hair pulling and picking is important to treatment. Together, we can look at all of the variables that trigger and perpetuate hair pulling and skin picking.
You’ll discover the underlying reason(s) for your hair pulling and picking in order to reduce or eliminate the behavior. You will learn to be aware of what triggers the behavior and break the cycle of hair-pulling and picking.
There are a variety of strategies that those who struggle with trichotillomania have found helpful to break the habit. You will learn how to self-monitor your behavior. Relaxation training and mindfulness techniques are also important strategies that will support you in your goal to reduce and eliminate hair pulling and skin picking.
There is no magic wand or magic pill, however, with effective treatment hair pulling and skin picking can be greatly reduced and even eliminated. It may not be easy, but I am here to support you every step of the way.
So let’s get started. I am here to help!
Begin Therapy for Hair Pulling and Skin Picking in Ridgewood, New Jersey
You don’t have to live with the overwhelm and stress of trichotillomania or other body-focused repetitive behaviors. Therapy can help you feel more confident and in better control. In my Ridgewood, New Jersey, counseling office you will meet with a skilled therapist who specializes in the treatment of trichotillomania and related disorders.
I am Dr. Maria Staropoli-Hafner, and I can help you overcome the shame and frustration you’ve been feeling. Click the button below to schedule your free consultation and begin your treatment for trichotillomania today!