since 6th grade (i'm in 9th) i've had problems with hair pulling. it's a compulsive disorder where a person constantly feels the need to pull at hair violently usually periodic in nature. I've tried medicines, therapists, and doctors, but i cant seem to solve the problem, cold turkey is extremely difficult. The trichotillomania, or, hair pulling, usually involves 2 parts. Well, to start, my major hair pulling problem is at the eyebrows. sometimes along the arms, but rarely. I've also tried hypnosis. I need other sugjestions.
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Trichotillomania = hair pulling problem
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What medicines have you tried? Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors are the usual treatment.
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I> What medecines...D'oh! You anticipated my question.Swashbuckler, do you have a pet?
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Um... yes i've had dozens of pets in my lifetime, currently only one is alive (But she'll be alive for several other years) She's a cat, grey and white tabby cat, probably siamese judging by her sharp face and strange acrobatic behaviours. I'm currently taking Lexapro and risperdolI jused to take Xanax but that had some serious problems with it. ( Between the 2 i think one of them is an anti depressant, that might cause some problems)
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Lexapro is an SSRI, which is a type of antidepressant. Risperdal is used to treat things like bipolar disorder; why was it prescribed for you?I guess I should have asked if you have any cuddly pets. I've been reading lately about the importance of touch (Ashley Montagu in particular), and one of the authors claimed that compulsive disorders involving touching oneself (such as hair twisting and pulling) can be caused by not getting enough intimate (not sexual) touch. It's more of an educated guess than a scientific idea, but it's interesting, and may not have anything at all to do with your situation.
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Lexapro is an SSRI, which is an appropriate treatment for trichotillomania. (It's an antidepressant also.) Does your doctor know that it's not keeping the trichotillomania in check? He/she may want to change the dose, or try an alternative.Xanax is very good for occasional bad anxiety but it's not good for regular use because tolerance and habituation develop.
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Um... no not really, my mom hasn't talked about it much with me. I'm going to get another hypnosis session in december though, but i dont think that will be enough.
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Hmm, Interesting to come across this thread now for me. My friend is studying psychology and told me she thinks I have some form of trichotillomania. I've done it since I was little and never really thought much of it till she said somthing. I pull hair out of my head very often as well as my eyebrows, eyelashes (though ive tryed to stop that one), pubic and arm hair. Pretty much anywhere I have hair, I pull it out. Fortunitly I have very thick hair and so it hasn't made a very noticable change exept prehaps less thick eyelashes.>>>>I guess I should have asked if you have any cuddly pets. I've been reading lately about the importance of touch (Ashley Montagu in particular), and one of the authors claimed that compulsive disorders involving touching oneself (such as hair twisting and pulling) can be caused by not getting enough intimate (not sexual) touch.That strangely makes alot of scence to my situation. I was always a very independed kid so wasn't help alot with things and only really got hugged if I was upset (rarely) or had done somthing wrong. Same thing now, Only get hugged if I've done somthing wrong by my parents ( not for afue years now)Hmmmmmm, this is very depressing