Our 12 year old son has recently started pulling out his hair and now he has a bald patch which we only noticed when he got his hair cut recently, he will be going to secondary school in september and I am worried that he will be ridiculed/bullied. We know that this is an anxiety disorder but we don't want him on prozac, does anyone know a good alternative treatment or therapy that will work. He will be seen by a child psychologist shortly - we are waiting for an appointment.
2007-01-23 21:48:24 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/mental_health/trichotillomania.html
it is called trichotillomania, and you might find this page useful to read.
2007-01-23 21:54:37 · answer #1 · answered by Kelly 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you want to avoid medication, then remove or reduce the stress causing the behavior. I'm not sure why you think he will be ridiculed or bullied, other than the missing hair- but that is a problem/challenge for the future. At the moment you need to figure out what is pushing him over the edge. I'd take a look at his schedule for starters. If he is so overscheduled with extra activities that he doesn't have suffiecient relaxation/down time, he can stress over that. If he is stuck in front of the computer, tv, or the video games, he isn't getting enough human interaction. If he's chosing those activities over human interaction, then find out why. Also, if there has been stress between parents, such as arguements, budget troubles, etc- he may be picking up on that as well. When you discover the cause of the stress and eliminate it, or at least teach him better coping mechanism, the trouble will solve itself. He is old enough to be able to help identify what's got under his skin, though he may need some help putting it in words. Have a talk with your child, and let him know that no matter what is behind it, you want to find a way to fix it. He may know and not want to tell you, because he thinks it will upset you, make you mad or add to your worries. Although seeing a child psychologist is an excellent choice, nobody knows your child better than you do, or will be in a better position to talk honestly with him. Sit down somewhere neutral, someplace relaxing, and have a talk to find out what's up. It may not solve it all at once, but at least he will know you are trying to help and that also improves things. Just prepare yourself for whatever you hear from him, and don't let yourself get upset. Listen to what he tells you, not so much the words he uses but determine what he means. Then ask him what he thinks would help, and work together to find a solution.
2007-01-23 22:07:26 · answer #2 · answered by The mom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The psychology sessions will really help your son to discover what's going on inside himself that is causes distress. Often the person suffering from intense anxiety does not know WHY they feel that way. A good psychologist is very skilled at drawing these things to the surface.
You'll probably want to know what's been said in these sessions if he attends them alone, but I would say to your son that he only needs to discuss with you what he wants to. After each visit sit down with him and ask how it went and if there is anything he wants to talk with you about.
I can only say keep communication going with him....it doesn't matter what he talks about, but I'm sure you do this anyway.
The trouble is he is entering that stage where young lads don't talk quite as much as they once did.
He doesn't need to be put on Prozac if that's not your wishes, counselling will route out the cause.
I wish you well.
2007-01-24 03:47:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's actually called trichotillomania.
There can be a number of reasons, however the most common involve anxiety and lack of self-esteem. Of course the work can only be done once the reason for the possible anxiety is found and resolved.
There are plenty of qualfied health professionals that can help - even consider Clinical Hypnotherapy, or even EFT which is great becuase it's something the child can do in there own time.
www.emofree.com
www.general-hypnotherapy-register.com
2007-01-24 08:36:45 · answer #4 · answered by psychic_hedgehog 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a serious psychological illness called trichotillomania and needs to be treated by a specialist who treats adolescents for OCD and ADHD. It will not go away on its own and there is really nothing that you can do on your own. Medication is usually required - at least for a little while.
My daughter started suffering with this at age 9 and stopped after she was seen by a psychologist who gave her Prozac and Ritalin and taught her some coping techniques to stop herself when she felt the urge to pull her hair out. Trichotillomania is related to nail biting and "cutting."
2007-01-24 01:25:00 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are definitely right that it is anxiety disorder and hopefully the psychologist will be able to help your son. Until your appointment try giving your son a stress ball so he can squeeze that and roll it in his hands which might stop his hands going to his hair. Best wishes
2007-01-23 22:41:39 · answer #6 · answered by clairelou_lane 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are taking the correct steps.
As far as him being embarrassed, you guys can come up with some kind of excuse.
My son was born with a quarter size bald spot on the side of his head. He's 13 and we just keep his hair in that shaggy surfer style.
2007-01-24 01:31:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i did this. he'll grow out of it. making an appointment with a psychologist will just fuel his belief that something is wrong.
distraction is the best form of cure.
It was never called an "anxiety disorder" when i was a kid. It was called "why the hell are you doing that, stop it"
I turned out ok, or at least my probabtion officer says so.
2007-01-23 22:01:08 · answer #8 · answered by Michael H 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
humorous, you will hear a number of people declare they are "section indoors attain American" yet as quickly as you ask them which one among their ancestors replace into an truthfully recognized member of a tribal u . s . a ., they in many situations will now no longer be waiting to do it. it variety of feels to be the story of "Indian blood" that they latch onto as their pseudo-identity, somewhat than having truthfully tribal association. you will now no longer be waiting to disclaim who you're in case you fairly be attentive to your ancestors and that they've have been given been individuals of tribal international places, yet that may not in many situations the case with those variety of claims. truthfully look at any Dr. Henry Louis Gates undertaking in this undertaking and he discusses this phenomenon every time. i glance around on the powwows I attend and be conscious particularly some blended Black-indoors attain infants and that i could assume they fairly be attentive to who their indoors attain kin are, and no one denies them their status as tribal individuals. yet, I see them as thoroughly distinctive than the common Black American claiming some obscure "Cherokee blood" or some distant "Indian blood" from someplace back on their mysterious, unnamed kin tree.
2016-12-16 12:18:04 · answer #9 · answered by moncalieri 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try talking to the child seriously, he may be attention deficite
2007-01-23 22:02:16 · answer #10 · answered by sciolism 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋