Helping Trichotillomania with Hypnosis
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder OCD ?
There is a split in the medical world as to whether trichotillomania is an Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) or an impulse disorder. However, whatever it is classified as, about 2% of the population know it causes them a great deal of embarrassment, discomfort and distress. The condition is as individual as the people who suffer from it. For many, the symptoms will be evident as hair pulling. Literally pulling their hair out from any area of their body and even from their close relatives and partners. Others will focus on pulling hair from maybe just one area of the body such eyebrow pulling, eyelash pulling and so on.
What happens after hair has been pulled from the body can also vary from sufferer to sufferer. Some then keep the hair, whilst others use the pulled hair as dental floss and a small percentage eat the hair, which is referred to as trichophagia. Trichophagia can cause serious stomach pain and on occasions surgery is needed to remove hairball.
The hair pulling behaviour usually starts in young children with the male and female split being about 50 – 50. By with the onset of puberty, 90% of recorded cases are female. Although recorded cases do not necessarily reflect the true picture. It is quite accepted in modern society that men can from an early age start to have a receding hairline and bald patches. Very little is publicly said, whilst females with bald patches, missing eyebrows etc are subject to, at the very least, someone’s remark.
Diagnosis of Trichotillomania
Diagnosis is on occasion difficult even for trichologists as often admitting this behaviour would add shame to the discomfort felt and may result in the loss of sympathy. As a London and Midlands based hypnotherapist who specialises in using hypnotherapy and EFT with people who have trichotillomania, I recently treated a client who’s partner believed she had alopecia. When she got up the courage to admit she was pulling out her own hair the relationship collapsed. This was exceptional it should be noted as most partners have an inkling that something is not quite right and when told that it is a condition, are usually very supportive.
Treatments for Coping with Hair pulling
Over time people with trichotillomania (sometimes shortened to TTM) become adept at covering up the damage. Some use wigs, whilst others will use scarves and caps. For those with eyelash or eyebrow pulling behaviour will cover the evidence by using false eyelashes and cosmetics.
If treatment is not offered quickly the bald patches will grow and the results not only have an adverse effect on external appearance but also the person’s ability to function in the big wide and often windy world. Activities such as swimming, driving in a convertible car or other physical pursuits become only dreams and often activities to avoid at all cost.
Self Confidence, Esteem and Depression
All of this restriction on their life can naturally affect their self-confidence and self esteem. Depression is often linked with trichotillomania and medication may be prescribed such as Prozac. Some people report some improvement with pharmaceutical treatment but others prefer an alternative approach including behaviour therapy. CBT, support groups and hypnotherapy. Some people also benefit from dietary changes.
Hypnotherapy, EFT and Trichotillomania
As an experienced trichotillomania hypnotherapist, I have found that a combination of practical and pleasant activities and strategies as well as powerful intervention therapies such as hypnosis and EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) can be effective. After working with clients directly in one-to-one sessions, other support that is particularly helpful are the use of hypnosis and subliminal cds. The use of these are encouraged each evening and assist subsequent progress made in the hypnotherapy sessions.
Lifestyle Changes
Whether working with a client face to face or by email, it is possible with honesty and trust to work out times and situations which exacerbate the issue and make a change. Just like learning to walk it takes time, practice and encouragement from people around you. In my experience I am delighted to say that there is hope. Trichotillomania in all its forms can be treated effectively and either reduced in severity or eliminated if the client is motivated to want to change and the support of loved ones can be counted on.
Anne Thornton-Patterson, Trichotillomania Hypnotherapist, Kensington London
Email: anne@kensingtonhypnosis.co.uk
Website: www.KensingtonHypnosis.co.ukArticle Posted – 3rd March 2007.
Copyright Anne Thornton-Patterson
IMPORTANT No article may be reproduced in any way, shape or form without the express permission of the author.
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