Imagine for a moment that you have this uncontrollable desire to scratch this itch under your bra strap in your back. You know the area in which you literally have to be double to get to it, most of the time holding your breath. But somehow you get to this place and finally get the first good scratch, and then you scratch deeper and deer, a little easier, but sometimes you need to draw blood until you feel the familiar “Aahhhh” that comes only from this relief.
This is something that every day has a condition called Trichotillomania.
Only their desire is to pull the hair out of the scalp, eyelashes, facial hair, nose hair, pubic hair, eyebrows or other body hair, sometimes resulting in noticeable bald patches. This happens during the day, and sometimes even at night, becoming more and more intrusive, until they find this feeling of relief, which in their case is always only temporary.
Trichotillomania ( TTM also known as trichotillosis or more often Trich ) is classified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) as a violation of impulse control. However, many doubt how it should be classified. It seems at times to resemble habit, addiction, tic disorder, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. The disorder "leads to noticeable hair loss, disasters and social or functional impairment" and "often chronically and difficult to treat."
Persons with trichotillomania exhibit hair of various lengths; some of them are broken hair with blunt ends, some new growth with tapered ends, some broken middle shaft or some uneven bristles. There is no scaling on the scalp, “the overall density of the hair is normal,” and the test for stretching the hair is negative (“the hair is not pulled out easily”). Hair often rolls out, leaving an unusual shape; individuals with “trichomes” may be secretive or shameful hair behavior. Trichotillomania can appear in babies, but it peaks between the ages of 9 and 13 years. Depression or stress can cause this condition.
Low self-esteem is often associated with being judged and avoided by peers, which usually leads to fear of communication due to appearance and negative attention that they can receive. Some people with TTM will wear hats, wigs, wear false eyelashes, eyebrow pencil, or brush their hair to avoid such attention.
Because of the guilt and shame often associated with it, it is often not reported, so it is difficult to accurately predict the life expectancy for each person. It is estimated that it ranges from 0.6% (overall) to 1.5% (for men) and 3.4% (for women). This “stretching” often occurs in their private environment. Some people with TTM may feel that they are the only person with this problem due to low reporting rates.
The level of thrush among relatives of patients with OCD is rumored to be higher than expected. , However, there are various differences between Trichox and OCD, including different periods of peak load at sunset, gender differences, as well as neural dysfunction and cognitive profile. When it occurs in early childhood, it "can be considered as a separate clinical entity."
Since trix exists in several age groups, in prognosis and treatment it is useful to approach three separate subgroups by age: "preschool children, adolescents to adolescence, and adults."
Trich is also classified as “automatic” and “focused” hair stretching. Children are more often in an automatic or subconscious state and cannot consciously remember how their hair is pulled. Other people may focus more on the hair stretching event and are usually more conscious when pulling the hair. This will include looking for specific hair types to pull, or pull, until the hair feels “just right”, or pulled in response to a particular sensation. Many times TTM became addicted to the “pop sensation” of the hair follicle that fell out of the scalp.
Is there any hope? Yes, but no matter what - you must want to change in order for the changes to occur successfully. First; need to recognize that they have this problem. If you are dealing with this, then the following should be honest and ask yourself if you are really ready to give up addiction for the possibility of peace of mind. If your answer is "YES", here are a few things that worked most of the time with my clients (keep in mind that the results are individual)
First: Get a few pairs of very thin surgical gloves, such as the type your dentist uses when working on you. Now, when and where you are comfortable, you must wear these gloves. It tires the sensation of attracting hair, immediately removing a good part of the sensation. I have secretaries who have a desire for beautiful healthy hair on the judgments of other hair, and they will wear gloves at work when answering phones, serving coffee, etc., with the exception of input.
Secondly: Because TTM feeds on stress, attitude is the key to achieving success with your goal. Get a good pair of headphones that are comfortable for you, as you will wear them when you sleep or meditate. Listening to self-hypnosis tapes that work to calm the mind and instill confidence and joy. Meditation is great for developing this experience.
Thirdly: Try to keep in mind that this is a process. From time to time it will be difficult and unpleasant, in other cases you will feel at the top of the world, because you have gone through the day without pulling. Give yourself permission not to be perfect. We take a step forward many times to take 2 steps back before moving forward again to our surprises, taking a bigger step than before. However, try to focus on the “moving forward” part and leave an opinion about where you were yesterday. This will give you the freedom to experience this “moment” today. This is really all we have.
Fourth: Keep looking at your progress. Give yourself a loan for the job you did. Hang some pictures of magazines that look like your hair like it was, or were beautiful, or a great picture of the type of hair you want, and clearly mark it so that you can always look at it.
