HEALTH
Trichotillomania

I am sure a lot of people reading this article will have sometime or other heard the expression “they were so worried/ angry/grieving, they were ready to pull their hair out”. Hard as it may be to believe, but there is a condition that causes some people to actually pull out their hair, it is called Trichotillomania (pronounced: trik-oh-till-oh-may-nee-ah).

Trichotillomania, compulsive hair pulling, is a type of psychological condition that involves strong urges to pull hair. Doctors used to believe the condition was rare, but it is estimated to be a chronic habit disorder of over 8 million people, and affects more females than males. It is surprising that very few Doctors have actually heard of this condition, but over the years I have treated hundreds of people with this problem. (At present I have 2 clients attending - a teacher and a 12-year-old girl).

People with Trichotillomania pull their hair out at the root from places such as the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, or pubic area. Some people pull large handfuls of hair, which can leave bald patches on the scalp or eyebrows while others tend to one strand at a time. Trichotillomania isn’t just an ordinary habit that a person can easily stop, It’s a type of compulsive behaviour giving an overwhelming urge to pull their hair. People with Trichotillomania may have other compulsive habits, such as nail biting or skin picking, as well as possibly having depression or anxiety.

The two clients that I am treating at the moment both have had to seek help for this, as it is now affecting there everyday lives. As regards the teacher, she started pulling the hair just behind her ears, as it could not be noticed. But after a while this developed across her whole scalp until she now has to wear a wig.  The young girl of twelve has pulled all her eyelashes out and is progressing onto her eyebrows. Her friends have started to notice this and are now teasing her.

People with Trichotillomania may feel embarrassment, frustration, shame, or depression about the condition. They may worry about what others will think or say and they usually try to hide their behaviour from other people. There are many theories as to why people would do this. In my opinion it is because they are living off their endorphins.

Whenever a person pulls out their hair after the initial sting the body then produces chemicals called opioids, or endorphins, to reduce or block the spread of pain messages from the body through the brain. These chemicals produce an effect similar to the action of some pain relief drugs, such as heroin, morphine, anaesthetics, etc. All these are capable of numbing pain but are also able to produce pleasurable sensations when used. Opioids also play a role in feelings of pleasure and reward, and in responses to stressful situations, and may even be involved in the “runner’s high” felt during strenuous exercise.  Plus any relief that comes with hair pulling usually only lasts for a moment and the person feels powerless to control the urge to pull, and starts the cycle once again.

It’s for this very reason that I feel that the hair puller is using it as a type of pleasure sensation, just like a drug addict. Whenever I quiz them about when they do it, most say that it’s usually under times of stress, while some say that they notice a satisfying feeling when they pull their hair, plus it has now become a habit and the urge always returns, and they simply can’t stop it. My method to correct this is quite simple. First since the mind is now “hooked“ on it’s endorphin rush, I recommend to the client to wear a rubber band on their wrist and each time that they feel the urge to pull a hair out, snap the rubber band against their wrist.

This helps in 2 ways:
1. If you think of the mind like a computer and it starts this action, just like a programme, the best way to stop it completing is to put a bug in it. By snapping the band it brings into play a new action that the mind hadn’t done before, so it goes for this instead of the original programme (Hair pulling) which in turns weakens the memory pattern.

2. By snapping the rubber band it also satisfies the mind by introducing the endorphins, but now in a different way and it is still getting its “fix”.

By combining this advice with my Fast Track hypnosis to help remove the habit and instil confidence once again into the client the results are very good. It normally takes approx. 4 sessions to achieve this (it takes time for the hair to grow) as well as support and practical advice about how to reverse this powerful habit.

By Alan Gilchrist. For an appointment, brochure, or free initial consultation, contact  Alan Gilchrist on 659 229 408.
Or visit his extensive web site alangilchrist.com