stop hair pulling

Individuals who suffer from trichotillomania have the irresistible urge to pull out their hair, and need outside help to stop this behavior. Trichotillomania is caused by both biological and behavioral factors, so a combination of anti-depressant medication and psychotherapy is best for putting a stop to the hair pulling behavior.

How to Stop

There are things that one can do to help stop trichotillomania in addition to psychotherapy and medication. Identifying key moments where the impulse to pull hair occurs will highlight the vulnerable areas in which a sufferer is most likely to relapse.
If a individual with trichotillomania always pulls hair when they are watching T.V., perhaps they can take a break from the T.V when they begin therapy and should not go back to watching T.V until they have made significant progress in therapy. The trichotillomania sufferer could also use distractions while watching T.V., such as painting their nails, knitting or even holding a stress ball to distract and ultimately stop the hair pulling compulsions.
The idea is to identify areas where hair pulling is most likely to occur and modify these situations accordingly. If certain situations can’t be avoided, such as sitting in traffic, alternate stress reducing activities can be incorporated such as a squeezing a stress ball or chewing gum to alleviate the urge to pull out hair.

Why Seeking Help is so Important

Trichotillomania cannot be cured alone. Sufferers need outside help to cure this disorder. Trichotillomania sufferers can do things on their own to increase the likelihood that they can stop their hair pulling by modifying their prior behavior patterns that created the opportunity to pull hair.
Certain resources such as support groups and website forums are also helpful at stopping the hair pulling behavior. Talking to other people who understand trichotillomania and speaking to those who have overcome the disorder is a powerful resource in helping to put a stop to the hair pulling.