How to Manage Trichotillomania (compulsive Hair Pulling)

Trichotillomania (TTM) is an impulse control disorder characterized by the compulsive urge to pull or pluck ones own hair.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1200 mg N-acetyl cysteine
• Behavioral psychologist or psychiatrist (if symptoms persist or worsen)

1. 
    

   BEGIN N-ACETYLCYSTEINE SUPPLEMENTS
   
   In the brain, N-acetyl cysteine plays an important role in maintaining the glutamate levels of the nerve cells. Glutamate, an amino acid, aids in controlling compulsive behavior.
   
   Recent clinical trials found the supplement, available in health food stores, dramatically reduced or eliminated the urge to pull hair in more than 50% of participants. The dosage initially began at 1200 mg and was increased to 2400 mg after 6 weeks if symptoms hadn't improved.

2. 
    

   IDENTIFY EMOTIONAL TRIGGERS
   
   Stress, Depression, and Anxiety can often trigger compulsive behaviors. Many TTM sufferers have not developed proper coping mechanism for emotional stress. Anti depressants medication, yoga, meditation, breathing exercises and running can help redirect negative urges.

3. 
    

   IDENTIFY PLACES THAT TRIGGER BEHAVIORS
   
   For example in the car, at work, a bedroom, or the bathroom are commonly reported areas. By identify the locations you typically engage in these compulsive behaviors you can begin to develop strategies to modify your actions in these places.

4. 
    

   BEGIN BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION
   
   - Wearing bandages on pointer finger and thumbs can help increase awareness of finger-to-hair contact and will also diminish the ability to grip hair
   
   -Squeezing or manipulating objects such as Silly Putty, Koosh Balls, or stress balls
   
   - Knitting, bead work, needlepoint, or other activities that occupy the hands
   
   - Wearing scents on your wrist and fingers will allow the smell to trigger awareness of the hands are near the face especially in eyebrow and eyelash pullers or those who are not aware of their pulling
   
   - Wearing hats, scarves, or acrylic nails can impede the ability to pull
   
   - Remove tools or aids such as tweezers or magnifying mirrors

Resources

• clinical trial

[kelbra12]

on 9/6/2009 Great article on handling hair pulling. I know so many people who do this, including me.. A rubber band on your wrist sometimes also helps OCB (mostly getting rid of negative thoughts. Recommend and 5*

[godfather25]

on 8/17/2009 Outstanding article on managing trichotillomania.

[chrisanimelo444]

on 8/15/2009 Wow, I never knew this existed! Maybe this is what I had when I was a child. I used to like pulling out my eyebrow hairs heh. However, with the help of family, I was able to stop. I think I was around 5th grade at the time. Great article!

[tnpos]

on 8/15/2009 Hey I never heard of this before. Thank you for sharing! 5 and rec!