Cures for Trichotillomania

Trichotillomania is currently classified as an impulse control disorder that causes people to pull hair from their own body. While there is no single cure for trichotillomania, there are many treatment options available. Treatment results can vary greatly. Some people can only reduce the amount of hair pulling, while others are able to stop pulling all together.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

• CBT works by identifying possible factors that trigger hair pulling. Once the triggers are identified, a trained psychologist can help the patient change the behaviors that cause them to pull their hair.

Medications

• Medication has been proven to help some people with trichotillomania reduce their hair pulling. However, individual results vary greatly. The most common type of medication used for trichotillomania is antidepressants.

Alternative Therapies

• Although alternative therapies are not as widely used as CBT or medication for trichotillmania treatment, some patients have reported that therapies such as hypnosis, meditation, and herbal remedies have helped to reduce their symptoms.

Support Groups

• Support groups help sufferers realize that they are not alone with this disorder. Many times this positive support can be helpful in reducing the urge to pull.

Combination Treatments

• Sometime patients benefit from a combination of any of the above treatments.

Summary

• The success of treatment is greatly dependent on the individual. What helps one person stop pulling completely may not help another even reduce hair pulling. Results are different for each person.