What’s the Best Treatment for Hair-Pulling Disorder?

After school, Henry would sit down and watch TV, but one hour later, his mom would discover he had been pulling his eyelashes and eyebrows. It wasn’t that he didn’t want them, he just couldn’t stop plucking them. When his friends called him to hang out, he found excuses not to be around them. He didn’t want to face unwanted questions or comments. The embarrassment and shame were causing isolation, and his confidence and self esteem were suffering. Henry is challenged by trichotillomania (TTM). Individuals who experience this disorder have difficulties resisting the urge to pull out their hair. It is estimated to affect between two to four percent of the American population. Many hair pullers are not even aware they are doing it until it’s too late. They may zone out when they are bored or may pull their hair as a self-soothing behavior. Other sufferers are aware of their behavior and purposely do it to release stress. The urge is irresistible. TTM is a chronic illness but those being challenged by it can learn skills to manage it. Besides awareness of the action, individuals also need to become aware of their feelings, thoughts, and the situations that occur before and after pulling. Triggers are different for everyone. Research thus far has shown that the most effective treatment for TTM and other body-focused repetitive behaviors such as tics, nail biting, and skin picking is behavioral therapy, including habit reversal training (HRT). This therapy was developed i...
Source: Psych Central - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Tags: Addictions Anxiety General Psychology Self-Esteem Treatment bullying Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Competing Response Training Distraction HRT Low Self Esteem Motor Habits Parenting Tics trichotillomania TTM Source Type: news