Does anyone know about trichotillomania??

Question

Its a disease and people who have it pull their hair out...I know cause I have it. If anyone does know about it please give me some sites that might help me with it
~Tiffany~

Answer 1

According to Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trichotillomania
"Trichotillomania (TTM) or "trich" is an impulse control disorder characterized by the repeated urge to pull out scalp hair, eyelashes, beard hair, nose hair, pubic hair, eyebrows or other body hair. It may be distantly related to obsessive-compulsive disorder, with which it shares some similarities."

"Treatment for Trichotillomania
Trichotillomania is unofficially classified by some as an Obsessive Compulsive Spectrum Disorder, although there is some question as to whether such a spectrum actually exists at all.

Habit Reversal Training
As of the present time, other than medication, the only treatment shown to have any documented effect on the symptoms of "trich" is a behavioral treatment known as Habit Reversal Training or HRT. This was developed by Dr. Nathan Azrin and colleagues and first published in 1973 in an article titled Habit Reversal: A Method of Eliminating Nervous Habits and Tics. The treatment focused on getting patients to increase their awareness of their behavior by recording and learning as much as possible about when, where, and how it occurred, and how to know ahead of time when it would occur. They were next trained to focus on, and reduce the tension that preceded the pulling. Finally, they were taught to perform a muscular movement that was inconspicuous, that was the opposite of, and incompatible with the behavior they wished to eliminate, and which would become an overlearned behavior. Many patients who pull their hair don’t realize that they are doing this; it is a conditioned response. With Habit Reversal Training doctors train the individual to learn to recognize their impulse to pull and also teach them to redirect this impulse. As a part of the behavioral record-keeping component of HRT, patients are often instructed to keep a journal of their hair-pulling episodes. They may be asked to record the date, time, location, and number of hairs pulled, as well what they are thinking or feeling at the time. This can help the patient learn to identify situations where they commonly pull out their hair and develop strategies for avoiding episodes.

Trichotillomania is a chronic problem, meaning that although one can recover from it, there is currently no cure. It can be a stubborn problem, but with proper treatment and persistence, picking and or pulling hairs can be greatly reduced and even brought under control. Clinicians who are specialized in treating this problem are not always easy to find, but do have the techniques and training to bring about substantial improvement.

Medications
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly used in the treatment of trichotillomania. Antidepressants have been shown to be effective in treating both Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and trichotillomania. Cannabis has been known to relieve acute symptoms of trichotillomania [2], by inducing relaxation in the user.

Exposure and Response Techniques (ERT)
Stimulus Control Techniques
Stimulus Control is a well-known behavioral treatment that in the case of trichotillomania, seeks to help sufferers first identify, and then eliminate, avoid, or change the particular activities, environmental factors, states, or circumstances that trigger hair pulling. The goal is to consciously control these triggers (or stimuli or cues as they are also known) that lead to pulling, and to create new learned connections between the urge to pull, and new non-destructive behaviors. It is often combined with Habit Reversal Training, and utilizes the self-recorded information that is a part of that treatment."

For support I would look at this site:
http://www.trich.org/index.asp
It seems to be the major group handling your problem.

http://www.nmha.org/infoctr/factsheets/92.cfm
http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/mental_health/trichotillomania.html
http://www.trichotillomania.co.uk/
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001517.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/trichotillomania/AN00026
http://www.npi.ucla.edu/caap/Trichotillomania.htm
http://www.rogershospital.org/ocd_trichotilimania_treatments.php
(I can run a search engine as well; hopefully I have come up with more than just a few websites to visit.)

I would also recommend that you buy this book; “Help for Hair Pullers: Understanding and Coping With Trichotillomania”
Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Help-Hair-Pullers-Understanding-Trichotillomania/dp/1572242329/ref=sr_11_1/104-5356404-7893503?ie=UTF8

This site has some articles to recommend to you
http://www.vachss.com/help_text/trich.html
This site is trying to sell you their "cure"\http://www.pullfreeatlast.com/
I wouldn't buy anything from them, unless your doctor recommended it, but it could provide some helpful resources.

I have clinical depression so I know a little of what you are feeling. If you need help with dealing with the doctors or some medication advice then I might be able to help, you can contact me via my avatar. The major medication seems to be Serotonergic medications, some of which I happen to be taking. If you have to take a medication I would recommend that you ask your doctor about Wellburtin. I have taken it for many years with few problems. This medication gives me a boost of energy so I can make it through the day. If you have trouble sleeping then ask the doctor about Seroquel. It is a medication that affects your Serotonin levels and it helps you sleep.

Answer 2

The compulsion to tear or pluck out the hair on one's head and face and often to ingest it. i found it at answers.com

Answer 3

http://www.associatedcontent.com/

Answer 4

try this site http://www.trich.org/index.asp

Answer 5

http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/mental_health/trichotillomania.html
http://www.healthdiaries.com/trichotillomania.htm
http://www.trich.org/index.asp
http://www.trichotillomania.co.uk
http://www.derm.ubc.ca/hairinfo/05.html
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/31261/trichotillomania_support_groups.html
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/31013/national_trichotrillomania_awareness.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trichotillomania
http://www.emedicine.com/derm/topic433.htm
http://home.intekom.com/jly2/
http://www.homestead.com/westsuffolkpsych/trich_cbt.html
http://www.stoppulling.com/PsycTech/Program/StopPulling/Public/HomePage.aspx
http://www.stophairpulling.com/?OVRAW=trichotrillomania&OVKEY=trichotillomania&OVMTC=standard