Tips That Helped Me Recover from Trichotillomania

This article is a follow up to Elizabeth V.’s “An Unconventional Take on Trichotillomania”.
Tips that helped me recover from trichotillomania:

Cover up the mirror in the bathroom with contact paper if mirrors trigger pulling. I only own a small, hand-held mirror for applying makeup.
Use dim lights so you are less able to visualize hair or skin imperfections.
Don’t own pulling tools, like tweezers.
Remind yourself that you are doing the best you can with what you’ve got.
Forgive yourself and be gentle with yourself.
Don’t make a big deal out of having trichotillomania. It can have devastating effects, but the more energy you expend around it, the more power it gains.
Don’t let yourself be labeled with a trichotillomania diagnosis because you might continue to pull just to fulfill the label. I experienced this self-fulfilling prophecy.
You have to want it. You have to want hair more than you want to pull. Identify what you want and go for it.
Be patient.

Unhelpful Self-Talk
Helpful Self-Talk

“I can’t stop this behavior. I don’t have control over it.”
“I may not have control over urges to pull, but I am in complete control over my behavior. I can stop this behavior.”

“I will have this disorder for the rest of my life.”
“Because I can change my behavior, I am not destined to have this disorder forever.” (I have experienced that the less I pull, the more the urges fade.)

“I just need to hope for a cure.”
“The cure re...

Source: Psych Central - June 8, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Anonymous Tags: Anxiety Motivation and Inspiration Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Personal Stories anxious thoughts before and after excoriation hair pulling hope Self Harm trichotillomania worry Source Type: news