Can You Treat Trichotillomania ?

By Paul H. Gray


Trichotillomania in adults can be frustrating. The hair loss alone is stressful enough as it is. The way things have gone along an adult's life after suffering from this condition for so long can seem inescapable, as any hope for a cure is usually met with pessimism, since it's been suffered for so long so far. But the fact is that trichotillomania in adults is just as treatable, even curable, as it is with younger people. Adults with this condition may feel that there just isn't any hope, due to the fact that any and all previous attempts to treat this condition, has been with the use of now out-dated therapies.[]

Mixed results have been reported with the use of SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors). In conjunction with the use of SSRIs, some researchers have recommended the use of neuroleptic drugs (antipsychotics) in low doses. Treating trichotillomania with medication is usually combined with behavioral training therapy.Using behavioral training therapy in treating trichotillomania has reported results of a 90% and higher success rate, even as a stand alone treatment. As the hair pulling behavior that sufferers exhibit is a triggered response to negative emotional stimuli (such as stress, anger, anxiety, etc.), psychoanalysis can be an aid to gaining a better understanding of just which stimuli can trigger each individual's behavior.

Today, more behaviorally based therapies are in use, and with insurmountably high success rates. Especially successful are of the type known as "behavioral substitution", or "behavioral replacement" therapies. These actually provide a means for patients to educate themselves further on their conditions while they benefit from them. Many have changed from drug therapies over to the more behaviorally base therapies as a result of the successes that are had by thousands of sufferers, even with cases of trichotillomania in adults.

For a trichotillomania treatment to be effective there is a need for perseverance. There is no magic pill to take care of this problem as a cure, as the condition doesn't stem from a biochemical cause. There are medications that are geared to alter behavioral patterns, but this only creates a temporary fix (if even a working one at all) for the situation, only creating an effect while you continue to take them. This only seems to post pone the situation, not improve it. Needless to say, this isn't the most desirable course of trichotillomania treatment.Other means of trichotillomania treatment involve different types of psychological methods, which for the most part, actually work quite well... though according to each of these specific methods, they tend to work better for some than others. Still, since this condition has its roots not in biochemistry, but psychologically, manifesting as emotionally triggered behavioral responses, it is with the use of psychological methods of trichotillomania treatment that we can properly attack this problem at its source.

The foremost danger for these patients is the addiction of pulling own hair in such an extent that it becomes chronic leading to bald spots. Scientists claim that in almost 10% cases, the patients indulge in pulling own hair and eating it. This pathological disorder is called Trichophagia and it eventually causes bezoar or hairball after the ingestion. Individuals suffering from it make use of several pullers like their own fingers, pins, tweezers and much more for pulling own hair. Hence, to cure hair pulling disorder, heavy medical intervention is necessary to avoid several appalling consequences. Several people believe that pulling own hair is done consciously by the patients. However, doctors believe that most of these urges are fulfilled unconsciously.

Only some methods work effectively to stop pulling out eyelashes. The key to Trichotillomania treatment is about accepting and understanding the disorder. By learning to relax and keep occupied with other activities, the faster you will be able to stop pulling eyelashes.Trichotillomania therapy is mainly grouped into two types; medical, and behavioral. Studies show very low success rates with medication and traditional psychoanalysis. Among the medications that are typically used are antidepressants with serotonergic properties (which are also used by patients with obsessive compulsive disorders), Clomipramine (also known as Anafranil) being the most effective in these cases.

Trichotillomania (or trich for short) simply means 'compulsive hair pulling' from anywhere on the body. It is classed as an impulse control disorder, which means that many people find it very difficult to stop pulling. Pulling out your hair could be done from your scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes or anywhere else on the body. Many people who suffer from this condition will go on to develop bald patches.Although it's hard to stop there are a number of psychological as well as physical trichotillomania treatment options available.Many doctors will want to provide drugs, such as antidepressants, to treat this condition. While it does help some, many do not seem to respond well to these drugs and would prefer to seek alternative methods of treatment.This is a good way of helping you to cope with the condition. It doesn't work for everything, but many people have reported a reduction in hair pulling after attending counselling for a few months.

However, behavioral trichotilllomania therapy reports show long term success rates of 90% or higher. This can include multiple means of therapy of both generally accepted and controversial types. Among the more controversial variety are the punishment procedural types of trichotillomania therapy, which can include mittens placed over the hands, topical creams used to increase pain, and even electric shock treatments. While these procedures are very intrusive, they are most often used with individuals who may be unable to consent, such as those suffering from serious developmental disabilities and young children.The more widely accepted forms of behavioral trichotillomania therapy, which reports the high success rate number mentioned earlier, are of the type known as habit reversal training. This educates sufferers more on this condition and teaches them to monitor their hair pulling habits while substituting them with more constructive, healthier habits. Some alternative forms of behavioral trichotillomania therapy can include hypnosis and the use of biofeedback mechanisms.




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