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Posted At : January 14, 2010 2:55 PM
| Posted By : William Collier Design
Related Categories:
Trichotillomania
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Early Bird registration now available: save up to $70 per person!
The 17th Annual National Conference on
Trichotillomania and Skin Picking
April 23-25, 2010 | Dallas-Fort Worth Airport Marriott 
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"The TLC Annual Conference literally saved my life...I thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me a second chance at having a normal life."
"The conference was awesome and a tremendous awakening for my daughter. In 7 years, she never wanted to say the word trichotillomania, yet at the conference she stood at the podium and took ownership of her struggle in front of all the attendees. She no longer wants to live a secret."
"Thank you so much for offering this conference to us. It is a blessing to learn I'm not as crazy as I always thought I was. I go home with renewed excitement, hope, strategies and willingness to pursue the fight of my life!" |
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Full Conference registration includes:
-Choice of 50+ workshops and activities
-Friday evening reception and professional networking event
-Continental breakfast on Sat. and Sun.
-Saturday luncheon and plated dinner
- Continuing education available for additional fees
TLC Member Early Registration >>
Adults: $229 / Under 18: $199
(rates increase up to $70 per person after Feb.28)
Continuing Education: $40 (up to 10 credits offered)
Supporting, Patron and Lifetime Members : email info@trich.org for your 10% discount code!
Non Member Registration>>
Partial attendance and payment plans available >> |
The Annual Conference is the only opportunity for sufferers and their families to sit down with some of the most well-respected experts in the field.
Attend the Parent's Roundtable with Dr. Fred Penzel, learn how to use Dr. Charles Mansueto's Comprehensive Behavior Model for Pulling and Picking, or learn the latest Research developments from a panel led by Dr. Nancy Keuthen of Massachusetts General Hospital. Meet Ruth Goldfinger Golomb, LCPC and Suzanne Mouton-Odum, PhD, authors of the popular book for parents, Stay Out of My Hair! while your child learns how to feel good about the way they look from author and make-up whiz Cheryn Salazar. And these are just a few of the talented presenters sharing their knowledge at this event.
Preview the entire list of presenters and workshops on our website >>
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There's something for everyone with topics covering research, treatment and self-help techniques for pullers and pickers of all ages, and their families.
Join over 30 clinicians, researchers and other experts who will present on topics from Neurobiology to Mindfulness, Behavior Therapy to Hypnosis, and Medications to Recovery. Learn how to think critically about treatment options, share tips and tricks for maintaining recovery, and hear about the latest research findings in treatment for both adults and children.
Kids and teens have opportunities to confront body-image issues, learn coping strategies and develop tools to help with social and educational difficulties. Parents will gain critical insight into their child's behaviors, learn strategies for supporting the child at home and in school, and learn about the latest therapeutic treatments available.
Read the full schedule of events at www.trich.org >>
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Dallas-Fort Worth Airport Marriott
Take advantage of special group room rates of $99/night at the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Airport Marriott hotel (you may extend your stay at the DFW Airport Marriott for two days before or after the conference, and enjoy the same low room rate for your entire stay!). A limited number of rooms have been reserved.
Special rate ends when the rooms are sold out, or March 23, 2010.
Reserve online now >>
Or call toll-free: 1-888-489-2647
Group Code: tritria
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The Trichotillomania Learning Center is a nationally-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life of children, adolescents and adults with trichotillomania and related body-focused repetitive behaviors such as skin picking. TLC works to raise awareness of these disorders, promote research and treatment advances, and to provide information and support to sufferers and their families. Learn more about what we do »
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Posted At : January 8, 2010 3:51 PM
| Posted By : William Collier Design
Related Categories:
Trichotillomania
Resources: Online Resources
Note: by including information about resources we are not endorsing or recommending a particular treatment provider, self-help contact or resource. They have simply let us know that they are familiar with or suffer from trichotillomania. Appropriate treatment and advice should always be obtained directly from a qualified and experienced doctor and/or mental health professional. In addition, TLC does not endorse any external sites on the links page or monitor or approve content on these sites. When considering a treatment you should consult your doctor to determine what is safe for you. This list is here to help you access Information that others have made available over the internet.
TLC-Moderated Email Groups
This is an excellent way to stay in touch, ask questions, meet other parents, and receive support for those times that are difficult. When a question comes up that we cannot answer, we will refer the question to the appropriate professional and encourage them to respond, then we will share this with the group. It's a great way to stay in touch with parents and get useful information. And moderated by several people, so no one person has total control.
To join, follow the instructions at: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ParentsTrichSupport
A safe, non-judgmental email group for teens to share feelings, strategies, and support on the road to recovery from trich. Come meet others who know EXACTLY how you feel! This teen group is moderated by TLC to ensure safety from unwanted spammers and unsavory visitors.
To join, follow the instructions at: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/TeenTrichSupport
If you are a young person with trich, this list may be just the place for you. This is a list for KIDS WITH TRICH, and if you want to talk to other kids about it, then you have come to the right place! This group is a wonderful place to share with others, learn new strategies for stopping behaviors that you don't like, and a great place to make new friends! This list is moderated by some Moms from the Trichotillomania Learning Center's (TLC) ParentsTrichSupport email list, and is also moderated by Christina Pearson, Founding Director of TLC. This is to ensure that the list is a wonderful and safe place for kids with TTM to come together and have fun sharing. If you are a young person and would like to join this list, we recommend your parent be a member of ParentsTrichSupport so they can talk to parents while you talk to kids.
To join, follow the instructions at: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/trichsters/
This is a safe and non-judgmental place to share ideas, strategies, difficulties and successes. We encourage you to ask questions and share insights. Trichotillomania is, for most, a disorder of isolation. Recovery is strongly supported by building bridges of communication, both to ourselves and to others. Members of this list are at all levels of experience: some just starting in pulling behavior, others suffering for years, some with years of recovery, and some just beginning the process.
To join, follow the instructions at: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/TLCTrichSupport/
This is a safe and non-judgmental place to share ideas, strategies, difficulties and successes. We encourage you to ask questions and share insights. Compulsive skin picking is, for most, a disorder of isolation. Recovery is strongly supported by building bridges of communication, both to ourselves and to others. Members of this list are at all levels of experience: some just starting in picking behavior, others suffering for years, some with years of recovery, and some just beginning the process. Remember the goal is Support, so be gentle with yourself and others.
To join, follow the instructions at: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/TLCDermSupport/
Non-TLC Moderated Email Groups
Welcome to the CT Trich Support board, based in CT, for adult sufferers (18 and over) of trichotillomania, AKA, Hair Pulling.
We hope to provide a caring, sensitive and confidential place for those suffering from trich to talk, share ideas, and gain some support. Because trich carries so much shame and embarrassment, people often do not know where to turn - well, now we have a place. We will use a lot of literature from TLC, Trichotillomania Learning Center, as well as authors who have dealt with or are dealing with various levels of trich.
So, whether you pull from your head, eyes, brows, or anywhere else on your body, please feel welcome to join this group. As of right now, our board is closed only to those with trich, however, we are trying to get a live support group going that will meet on Tuesdays. The start date and location will be announced shortly.
A Canadian based Yahoo group for sufferers of trichotillomania.
Pickaderms is a community of those who are keen to share support and work at overcoming Compulsive Skin Picking, sometimes known as dermatillomania or acne excorie. Many of us have struggled for years believing we are alone in suffering from this often distressing habit. Those of us who have not been too embarrassed to admit to our problem have often had difficulty finding real help or have been told by loved ones to Just Stop!
The approach we encourage on this list is CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) including Habit Reversal, as this is the treatment most likely to lead to recovery.
This is an unlisted, private group, as we want you to feel you can post safely and in confidence. The group is open to pickers of any part of the body as well as nail and cheek biters, but restricted to those over the age of 13. Parents of pickers under this age are also welcome to join.
To avoid delays, please state your reason for wishing to join us clearly when applying.
Group advisor and co-owner with Judy is James Claiborn, Ph.D., ABPP, and group moderator is Louise. For more information, write to: Pickaderms-owner@yahoogroups.com.
This group has been created to replace the former Yahoo Pickers Group:
"It is for individuals with Trichotillomania related behaviors, who don't quite fit the traditional definition of Trich.
All are welcome including scalp and skin pickers, hair twisters and pullers, those facinated by split ends, cuticle pickers, fuzzy bits of hair etc.
This is a safe place to open up and talk about our behaviors and compulsions. Just to let you know that we sometimes go off-topic to make sure that we still have sense of humors. We are people with families and things pop up in our day to day lives that we like to talk about, and that we do!"
We are a group of people who pull our hair. If you join THEO you will find help and support from many smart, caring, and loving individuals.
This email list is designed as a safe place for people with Trichotillomania to discuss TTM and work toward the goals of remission or acceptance.
A small friendly email list for individuals with trich who are actively trying to stop. Send an email to Trichees-subscribe@onelist.com with "subscribe" in the main text.
Anyone who has trich or has a relative or friend with trich is welcome to join. We aim to include all opinions and age groups and talk on issues mainly related to trich but also sharing some of our other lives.
For Australian sufferers of Trich where we share advice, offer support and can talk freely about our experiences with Trich. This is a moderated E-Support Group and Message Board.
Internet Message Boards
http://www.selfinjuriousskinpicking.com/bb/
http://www.trichisland.com
http://trichsupport.aimoo.com
http://www.trich.co.uk/
Personal Sites and Support
Announcing TrichWorld.com, a new Trichotillomania Social Network that is a safe, non-judgmental place for all struggling with trichotillomania to find support, share feelings, and learn techniques and strategies to help stop pulling. This group is moderated by Cheryn Salazar to prevent spammers and predators from participating. Come meet others who know exactly what you are going through!
http://home.intekom.com/jly2/
A personal blog about life, and trich...
"Drawing on my eyebrows is irritating though, and being 25% bald is downright terrifying and embarrassing. I feel like a huge freak, which I'm sure doesn't help the pulling urges. I hate not being able to swim with other people. I loved having my long wet hair flowing around my shoulders when I swam. I hate not being able to leave the house or even my room without a bandana on. I hate clogging up the vacuum cleaner, and having to pick hair clumps off of my clothes when they come out of the washer. It sucks!"
An excellent mini-documentary by Will Ellis
http://trichgirl2010.blogspot.com/
http://www.angelfire.com/ma2/birdy/blessings.html
http://members.tripod.com/sistahswithtrich/
http://www.trich101.com/
Important Information About Resources
TLC does not endorse any external sites on the links page or monitor or approve content on these sites. When considering a treatment you should consult your doctor to determine what is safe for you. This list is here to help you access Information that others have made available over the internet.
If you would like a copy of the Information packet compiled by the Trichotillomania Learning Center, Inc. please see membership information.
Posted At : November 13, 2009 2:06 PM
| Posted By : William Collier Design
Related Categories:
Trichotillomania
Join TLC Founding Director Christina Pearson in Manhattan, and learn what it feels like to discover that you do have choices, and how to build a decision-making process that can free you from a behavioral prison. The goal of this day-long workshop is to help you understand current research, develop new perspectives, and give you concrete tools for healing from hair pulling and skin picking.
Challenging our beliefs about living with compulsive hair pulling or skin picking is an important step in recovery. Often, people feel that "it's too hard," or "I can't change," or "there's no answer, so why bother?" Or the big one, "I've tried everything, nothing works." Confronting these states of mind helps us move beyond them and prepares us for the next stage.
Space is limited and filling up fast, sign up today!
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November 21: Manhattan One-Day Workshop
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New York City
Pathways to Recovery:
Cultivating Behavioral Change
A One-Day Workshop: Healing from Compulsive Hair Pulling And Skin Picking
November 21, 2009
10:00am - 5:00pm
SLC Conference Center
352 7th Ave. (at 30th Street)
*Please note the location is 7th Ave. NOT 7th Street.)
16th Floor
New York City
www.slccenters.com
facilitated by
Christina Pearson
Founding Director, Trichotillomania Learning Center
Pre-registration: $105/person
Register Now >>
or register by phone :831-457-1004
Walk-in registration: $125/person
(very limited space available, pre-registration is recommended)
Limited partial scholarships and payment plans are available. For information, contact the TLC office directly.
Read the Program Schedule >>
This program is a fundraiser: all proceeds support TLC's ongoing effort to decrease the isolation and increase the knowledge of these disorders.
About the Facilitator
Christina Pearson is the Founding Director of the Trichotillomania Learning Center, a national nonprofit organization in existence since 1991. She grew up with both trichotillomania and skin picking, and today is no longer controlled by these compulsions, which she attributes to the recovery work she has done over the past 19 years. Christina is a dynamic advocate for effective treatment, and consults with practitioners nationwide. She was involved in organizing the TLC Genetics Consortium and Field Study, has been a consultant on 3 NIMH Grants, and has facilitated bringing together the world's leading researchers and clinicians to develop a deeper understanding of trichotillomania and related problems. As part of continuing to develop resources, she has designed a series of workshops for those who seek recovery. Christina presents regularly at conferences, workshops and retreats around the country, and has worked with thousands struggling with compulsive hair pulling and skin picking. She has been pull and pick free now for many years, after suffering more than two decades with severe hair pulling and skin picking behavior.
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Posted At : July 7, 2009 5:04 PM
| Posted By : William Collier Design
Related Categories:
Trichotillomania
Hi Everyone,
One of my favorite blogs is Christina Pearson's blog on the Trichotillomania Learning Center's website - as a person living with Trich she has a unique, extremely caring & relevant perspective regarding treatment options, triggers and much more - if you haven't checked it out yet - I highly recommend it.
About Christina
For the last eighteen years, Christina Pearson has devoted herself to improving the lives of people suffering with trichotillomania, skin picking, and related disorders.
Christina Pearson is the Founding Director of TLC.
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Many of our client's living with Trichotillomania share with us feelings of shame and sadness and often keep this part of their lives a secret from those closest to them - as with all challenges in life the load is lightened when it is shared, to that end we encourage you to explore the Trichotillomania Learning Center's Website for support and the latest news on treatment options and scientific breakthroughs.
As always, the staff here at William Collier Design are always happy and willing to provide information and support in a discreet & private environment.
Please feel free to call or email us with any questions or to schedule a complimentary consultation to learn more about the hair replacement options we can offer.
All my best,
Judi Collier
Posted At : May 15, 2009 1:36 PM
| Posted By : William Collier Design
Related Categories:
Trichotillomania
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Please go to the Trichotillomania website to register for the workshop at http://www.trich.org/involved/cal-retreats.html
Annual Retreat, near Corralitos, CA
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August 9-12, 2009
Pema Osel Ling Retreat Center
Prices vary depending on your selected lodging options.
 Focus on healing from the effects of hair pulling and skin picking during an intensive four-day Retreat in the Santa Cruz mountains. Learn useful techniques, laugh and make new friends, all while surrounded by the phenomenal natural beauty of the 106-acre Tibetan Buddhist Retreat Center, Pema Osel Ling.
Sessions are offered for adult hair pullers and skin pickers, as well as for children, adolescents and their parents. Topics are varied between basic neurobiology and behavioral change strategies to enhancing self-care, skills for setting better emotional boundaries to mindfulness techniques, understanding the spiritual impact to grieving for time lost in suffering, meditation skills to interpersonal communication, makeup application and hair and skin care techniques to developing resources for the road to recovery (whether you are 10 years old or 60 years old).
There will also be plenty of time to swim, hike, relax, get a facial, haircut, or massage, and even sing karaoke! While the complete workshop schedule and list of facilitators will be online soon, registration is limited, so please act now to reserve your space! |
The 18th Annual TLC Retreat
Register before June 1 and save $50 per person. Register Now!
For those who live with problem hair pulling and/or skin picking, and their family members.
Focus on healing from the effects of hair pulling and skin picking during an intensive four-day Retreat in the Santa Cruz mountains. Learn useful techniques, laugh and make new friends, all while surrounded by the phenomenal natural beauty of the 106-acre Tibetan Buddhist Retreat Center, Pema Osel Ling. 
Take advantage of this opportunity to experience the transformative environment of Pema Osel Ling, as next year the Retreat will move East, with a different agenda and format. Nestled in the mountains overlooking the pristine Monterey Bay, Pema Osel Ling is surrounded by redwood forests. Deer and other wildlife wander freely throughout the grounds. A private facility and not open to the public, this Retreat provides a rare opportunity to truly enjoy the beauty of the area in a safe environment.
Sessions are offered for adult hair pullers and skin pickers, as well as for children, adolescents and their parents. Topics are varied between basic neurobiology and behavioral change strategies to enhancing self-care, skills for setting better emotional boundaries to mindfulness techniques, understanding the spiritual impact to grieving for time lost, meditation skills to interpersonal communication, makeup application and hair and skin care techniques to developing resources for the road to recovery (whether you are 10 years old or 60 years old).
There will also be plenty of time to swim, hike, relax, get a facial, haircut, or massage, and even sing karaoke! While the complete workshop schedule and list of facilitators will be online soon, registration is limited, so please act now to reserve your space!
This year’s program presenters include:
Christina Pearson Charles Mansueto, Ph.D.
Suzanne Mouton-Odum, Ph.D. Renae Reinardy, Psy.D.
Registration
Registration includes ALL meals: Dinner on Sunday evening, breakfast, lunch and dinner on Monday and Tuesday, and breakfast again on Wednesday. Pema Osel Ling is reknown for its delicious meals featuring local organic products. Prices vary depending on your lodging selections.
Payment plans are available! A deposit of $150 per person will reserve your preferred lodging option, with balance due by 8/1/09. Payment plans based on automatic monthly billing are also an option. Limited partial scholarships are available to TLC Members. For application instructions, email info@trich.org. Deadline to apply is May 31.
The Retreat sells out quickly each year.
Reserve your spot today!
Lodging Options
The TLC Retreat offers several different lodging options.
Heated cabins with high ceilings and large sunny windows are located on a quiet hillside. Cabins have dorm-style bunks, four people per room. Linens are provided. A heated bathhouse for both men and women is nearby. Cabin rates are $420.00 for the first person, $390 for additional attendees. Non-members pay $100 more per person.
The yurt is a dome-shaped cabin-like structure, located near the cabins. Linens are provided, and beds are dorm-style, sleeping six total.
Campsites are located throughout the grounds. Tent campers have the option of bringing their own gear, or renting a TLC tent. Tents provided by TLC include two air mattresses and a lantern; two people are housed per tent. Bedding is NOT provided. Bathhouses with hot showers are conveniently located near camping areas.
SOLD OUT: The Sangha House is a four-bedroom lodge (four bunks per room) with a kitchen, two groupsize bathrooms with handicap access, a meeting room and deck with a view of Monterey Bay. Linens are provided. This is the most popular option, and sells out quickly. Sangha House rates for TLC Members are $465.00 for the first person, $435.00 for each additional person. Non-member rates are $100 more per person.
Day participation is also an option for those who choose to stay off-site. Rates are $295 for the first person, $265 for additional attendees. Non-members pay $100 more per person. A list of local hotels may be provided, however, please keep in mind the nearest hotels are 30 minutes away.
Transportation:
The closest airport is San Jose International Airport (SJC), approximately 90 minutes from the retreat site. TLC has arranged for shuttle service, at the cost of $55 per person round trip.
In order to ride the TLC shuttle, your flight MUST arrive NO LATER THAN 3:00pm on August 9 and DEPART after 2:00pm on August 12. We are unable to facilitate transportation outside of these times. There is no early shuttle!
Comments from previous retreatants:
"I would absolutely recommend the retreat to others because of its potential for creating a life-changing experience."
"The positive impact of attending has slowly continued to increase and spread in many aspects of my life - like having more self-acceptance and compassion for myself and others."
"I felt so warm and safe. I have never met such a wonderful group of people."
"This experience has changed my life and I can't wait until next year!"
"Attending was an important inner demonstration of my courage and ability to face trich. Meeting all the wonderful people really helped me start to accept not only others, but myself."
"Now, when I am about to pull, I find myself asking a question posed by one of the retreatants: 'Is there anything more loving I could do for myself right now?'"
"I loved the silent walk and the yoga, and the food was fabulous!"
"I have not pulled since the retreat - and I have also greatly improved in my skin picking..."
"Going to the retreat over the past few years has deeply impacted my recovery and improved my life immensely."
The message here is: where hairs pulling, skin picking, and related problems are concerned, real change is possible, long-term recovery does happen, and new perspectives can transform you.
So what are you waiting for?
Come and take advantage of this precious resource!
Cancellation Policy:
Cancellations must be received in writing via email, mail or fax. Voice-mail messages are not valid or accepted. Cancellation deadline dates are as follows:
- Up to 30 days prior to the event: TLC will cancel your registration and issue a refund of paid registration fees, minus a $25.00 processing fee.
- 14 days prior to the event: TLC will cancel your registration and issue a refund of paid registration fees, minus a $60.00 late cancellation-processing fee, regardless of the reason for the cancellation (including medical emergencies).
- 7 days prior to the event or later: No refunds will be issued, regardless of the reason for the cancellation (including medical emergencies). TLC cannot make exceptions to this policy, as we must prepay most meeting expenses.
Posted At : May 5, 2009 4:00 PM
| Posted By : William Collier Design
Related Categories:
Trichotillomania
Hi Everyone,
We work with many clients who are living with Trichotillomania - we think the national Trichotillomania website is awesome for information and support - see below for the link. If you are interested in learning more about treatment options available - pease read the information below or feel free to call or come in for a free consultation with one of our technicians to discuss the hair replacement options we can offer.
Judi Collier
Trichotillomania Treatment Options
Research into treatments for trichotillomania and skin picking has grown steadily over the past decade. Although no one treatment has been found to be effective for everyone, a number of treatment options have shown promise for many people. At this time, management of these behaviors should begin with education about the disorders, followed by consideration of the treatment options listed below. Special considerations for treating children and adolescents are discussed in the Clinician's Guide for Treatment in Children and Adolescents – view this at the Trichotillomania website at http://www.trich.org/treatment/options.html
Treatment Options: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Note: the following treatment overview was written for hair pulling, but also applies to skin picking. More in-depth information about skin picking treatment is coming soon.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a form of therapy that seeks to alter behavior by identifying the precise factors that trigger hair pulling and learning skills to interrupt and redirect responses to those triggers. Broadly stated, CBT is based on learning theory which has shown that as we practice new behaviors and thoughts in response to familiar emotions or situations, our brain's physical structure actually changes, too. We develop new neural pathways and, with repetition, the new behavior becomes an automatic response.
CBT should be performed by a psychologist trained in this method and well versed in treatment of these behaviors-something that may be easier said than done as there is not an abundance of psychologists with this specialty. The therapist will encourage hair pullers to develop an increased awareness of the times of day, emotional states, and other factors that promote hair pulling as an important precursor to being able to control the behavior. Some hair pullers have had success with simple behavioral devices such as putting bandages on their fingers to interfere with pulling, keeping records of their hair pulling, or changing environmental cues that can trigger pulling.
Methods of cognitive-behavior therapy, such as Habit-Reversal Training and the Comprehensive Model for Behavioral Treatment of Trichotillomania, have shown to be the most successful treatments for trichotillomania known today.
Treatment Options: Medications
Questions about pharmacological treatment are among the most frequently asked of TLC. Understandably, many want to know, "What can I take to make me stop pulling?"
As of yet, there is no magic pill for the treatment of trichotillomania or skin picking. In fact, people respond very individually to medications, so there probably will never be a single drug that helps everyone. There is also a strong possibility that there is more than one form of trichotillomania, and that different forms will respond to different treatments.
That said, some people do benefit from drug therapies, either alone or in conjunction with cognitive-behavior therapy. Many experience a reduction of the urge to pull, and some have experienced total cessation. The effect, however, is often (though not always) temporary. It can be useful to use a period of relief to explore additional treatment or support resources that may help you in the long term.
Because reaction to medications is so individual, it is often necessary for you and your doctor to try more than one drug or combination of drugs before finding one that helps. Medications in the SRI or SSRI category have shown to be the most useful to date, but results are mixed. Please see our "Clinicians' Guides" for more detailed information.
The use of medication for the treatment of these behaviors in children or adolescents brings additional concerns. Very few drug trials involve children and to date there have been no studies of the use of medication for treatment of TTM in children. Due to the limited evidence supporting its effectiveness, as well as concerns about the long-term effects of medications on the developing brain, TLC's Scientific Advisory Board advises that for most children and adolescents with trichotillomania, medications should not be used as a treatment of first choice.
It is important for you and your doctor to be aware that many people with trichotillomania and skin picking suffer with additional problems, such as depression and anxiety, which should be screened for and treated. In addition to being serious or even life-threatening in their own right, the existence of additional disorders can hinder one's ability to benefit from treatment of trichotillomania.
Treatment Options: Alternative Therapies
The most well-documented methods of reducing hair pulling and skin picking are cognitive-behavior therapy and medications.
But none of these approaches works for everyone. Because we do not have all the answers about trichotillomania and its treatment, TLC works to provide information about additional ideas that may be useful to you. Dietary changes, meditation, hypnosis, prayer, yoga, and herbal remedies have all been reported to be helpful by some individuals.
In many cases, these ideas have not been scientifically tested and are supported only by anecdotal evidence. So we explore them with an open, but also cautious, mind.
When making decisions about what treatments to pursue, we suggest asking yourself a few questions:
- What do I want to achieve through this treatment (or tool or diet, etc.)?
- Can it do me any harm? (Please note: Sometimes the answer to this question isn't obvious. It is especially important to do your own research and consult a doctor if you are going to ingest any medication, herb, vitamin, or alter your diet. Even seemingly benign substances can have harmful effects if ingested in too great a quantity or in combination with certain other conditions or medications.)
- On what basis do I believe that this treatment will help me?
- What is the likelihood of this method being useful compared to other options?
- Can I afford the money, time, or emotional energy involved in pursuing this idea?
Treatment Options: Support Groups
Individuals who suffer from hair pulling and skin picking have often spent years coping with these behaviors alone. However, many report that participation in either therapist-facilitated or peer support groups helps to improve their self-image and sometimes even helps reduce pulling and picking behaviors.
Parents and loved ones may also experience feelings of frustration or guilt about the disorder and may benefit from communication with others who share their experience.
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