Treatments

As many people with Trichotillomania undestand, treatment for this disorder is so limited. Most doctors best advice is to "make fists" and "say no", which again as anyone with Trich will know, is plain rediculous. If making fists and saying no made Trich go away, I'd have been rid of this years ago. There are a few other treatments and tricks to being pull-free, though, here's a list of some of the most common. I'll also note what I tried and my success.

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: "a form of therapy that seeks to alter behavior by identifying the precise factors that trigger hair pulling and learning skills to interrupt and redirect responses to those triggers" (trich.org)
In a nutshell this is basic therapy, I've tried it and it did nothing for me. I am a person whose Trich has no real triggers, and this therapy often focuses on finding triggers and re-directing. If you feel your Trich is triggered by something distinct, I'd suggest trying CBT out. 
 
2. Covering your hands with gloves during times your tend to pull (ex: at night)
Now I won't rule this one out, but again, it is something I've had no success with. I've found it really just masks the problem and causes stress. That stress just made me want to pull more. It could work for people who are better with controlling their pulling, but for me it's a no-go.

3. Making fists when you go to pull, and saying "no!" out loud.
I've gotten this from several doctors. I usually don't recognize when I'm pulling right away, so personally this one is another flop. It's supposed to cause a subconscious link with pulling and the word no, and theoretically it could work. Just not for me.

4. Medication.
Medications (usually antidepressants) can be given to help alleviate urges. They have never worked for me personally but I know a few people who have had success.

5. Hypnotherapy.
Okay, it sounds out there. I know most people have reservations about this sort of thing, but it isn't as strange as you'd think. You're not actually "hypnotized", at least my hypnotherapist wasn't that way. I sat in a recliner in a dimly lit room with noise-canceling headphones. The guy spoke calmly through something so I could hear him through the headphones, and helped me get into a state of total relaxation. I was almost asleep, and he started making suggestions on how to not pull. I had to listen to recordings of the sessions with him nightly, and for awhile it really did work but then I stopped going because I had a lot going on. I really suggest it.

6. Cut out the sugar and caffiene.
I have heard from a lot of people say that this helps with urges. This one I've never really tried, but if you do, let me know how it goes!

Bottom line, there is no set "cure" for Trichotillomania. There are tons of things you can try, though, and I suggest trying as many as you can. If you think you are ready to start working towards being pull-free, here's some easier methods to try before you delve into something like medication or therapy:

1. For a week, write down when you pull whenever you can, along with where you are and what your mood is at the time. Keeping track of your Trich gives you some power over it, and can help you learn how to avoid certain situations that you are more likely to pull in.

2. Journal, journal, journal. Write your thoughts, emotions, anything you have to. Trich is known to occur more in emotional individuals or people who have had something negative happen to them. Working out these problems can also help with your Trich.

3. Make small goals. Say "I won't pull for an hour" and if you make it, go for another, and so on. And I can't stress this enough: track your progress. Being able to see what you can do is an awesome motivator.

Have any other tricks for Trich? Let me know! Comment, or email me (my email is in the sidebar and in my "contact" page.)

Savannah.