| Trichotillomania: Pulling Your Hair Out |
| Karen Marie Shelton & Dr. Howard Rosenthal Ed.D. |
| Date: 7/14/2002 |
Introduction In a moment of extreme frustration I have been known to whine that I was about to “pull my hair” out. While my quip would always illicit a laugh from my companions, in reality, hair pulling is no laughing matter. According to Dr. Howard Rosenthal, Ed.D, famous author of the best selling book, Encyclopedia Of Counseling, “it is estimated that more than 8 million Americans currently suffer from a form of compulsive hair pulling known as Trichotillomania (pronounced trick-o-till-o-mania). It is now believed females suffer more from trichotillomania (TTM) than males. Coined by a French dermatologist in 1889, the term described individuals who suffer from a "dis-tressing condition.” The word is derived from the Greek words thrix (hair) and tillein (to pull) and mania (madness). Although TTM involves a compulsive pulling, and sometimes eating, of hair from the scalp, and other parts of the body, it really is not about the individual’s hair or how they feel about it. As Dr. Rosenthal explained, while sufferers often insist “that they feel a sense of gratification after pulling out their hair”, most people who suffer from this behavior are usually not specifically upset with the condition or appearance of their hair. A bad hair day is almost never the cause of hair tugging. Instead, pulling is triggered by a wide range of fears, emotions or other conditions. Some TTM patients report that the pulling is actually soothing, while others worry that stopping the pulling might trigger other compulsive behaviors like over-eating or drinking.
While some trichotillomaniacs or their families may worry about their mental health, in reality, they suffer from a potentially treatable impulse or obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) similar to someone who can’t stop gambling, eating or washing their hands. New research indicates from utilization of brain scanning that the disorder may also have physical origins as well as psychological. According to Dr. Rosenthal “the biggest challenge with this disease is the closet factor”. People who suffer from TTM are often too ashamed to ask for help from any official professional source. Their families are either unaware of the seriousness of the problem or may be baffled at how to help their loved one deal with this confusing behavior pattern. Although he treated a 14 year old girl in the early 1970s for what her mother called “Kojack’s” disease, Dr. Rosenthal struggled “with finding other professional sources that even had an awareness of the disease, let along could recommend treatment”. Most current experts on TTM recommend a multi-modal approach to treatment including behavior modification, hypnosis, and nutritional therapy, which Dr. Rosenthal successfully utilized for treatment of his first patient so many years ago. Some therapists also log success with alternative health treatments such as acupuncture, body work, rolfing, herbs and related therapies. Pharmacological therapy is also an option. The anti-obsessional medications (Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft), known as serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs), have been most frequently tried in the treatment of trichotillomania.
Dr. Rosenthal cautions that "use of some of the SSRI drugs currently utilized can cause more problems than they ultimately fix with addiction being one possible side effect". He personally believes "in trying the nutritional and behavioral approaches first having had the best success with those methods". There is a lot of good news for people dealing with the challenges of TTM. Since 1991, the Trichotillomania Learning Center (TLC) has been in operation to help bring TTM completely out of the closet and into the light of public awareness and understanding. TLC holds an annual convention every year to promote the TTM cause. The TLC website offers a wealth of information from lists of current support groups and mailing list to latest research findings and a long list of related links. In addition to TLC, there are some amazing TTM sites available on the web to offer support and assistance. Amanda’s Tirchotillomania Site is a wonderful welcoming resource. As a result of all the new information and support, TTM is finally receiving acceptance as a treatable condition that responds to acceptance and open-minded sharing and communication. As Dr. Rosenthal pointed out “for anyone suffering from TTM, knowledge is power which ultimately can lead to healing.” Resources Trichotillomania Learning Center (TLC) The Trichotillomania Learning Center (TLC) is located at 1215 Mission St., Suite 2, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, (408)457-1004. Founded in 1991 by a sufferer of TTM, TLC has responded to over 50,000 inquiries about trichotillomania with up-to-date information. The Program for Research on Anxiety Disorders among African Americans at Kent State University
Angela M. Neal-Barnett, Ph.D., Director
(1-800-313-KENT) Amanda's Trichotillomania Site Great site by Amanda who have put a lot of time and effort into providing links, notes and other resources. A site you must visit. Joan Kaylor
Licensed Professional Counselor who recovered from TTM and has dedicated her profession to treating and helping others with TTM. Noelani’s Story Noelani tells the story about how she started pulling hair. Other TTM Links Trich Library
Trichotillomania Resources Popular Yahoo Group- Trichees
Active board with lots of posts from people with TTM. International Links German Trich Site
Eva's Trich Site (Dutch)
HaarWeb (Netherlands)
Panel de mensajes (Spanish) |