Trichotillomania Mass General Hospital Center For OCD & Related Disorders
Are you one of the many suffering silence due to pulling out your hair, eyelashes, and eyebrows? There is help, and the world's #8 hospital - Mass General - has an entire department devoted to Trichotillomania, OCD, and related disorders.
We have been fortunate to receive referrals from one of the world's top hospitals, and we are excited to share that our clients with Trich have gained control over this condition. I will start by saying, "You are not alone!" I personally have worked with hundreds of children, and adults with Trich aka "BFRB" body-focused repetitive disorder. I have a personal view of their journey, and what works, and what does not. I can attest to the fact, that a multi-faceted approach will help to prevent hair-pulling behavior.
What is Trichotillomania?
Like many psychiatric disorders, Trich is not clearly defined, it appears to be an urge to self-soothe by pulling out hair on the body. It is classified to be anxiety-driven, with elements of Obsessive Compulsion. Some may pull it as a coping mechanism when they are stressed, anxious, or bored. I have heard that some of the pulling is intentional, and quite relaxing, seeking the perfect hair to pull with a small white bulb at the end of it. I have also had others explain that they are unaware of their behavior when pulling as if they are on autopilot.
Both boys and girls can suffer from Trich, but it appears to be more females since they are twice as likely to have anxiety.
It is important to bring awareness to Trichotillomania, I have done just that over the last 20 years, and with awareness brings more research, and help.
Nancy Keuthen, Ph D. is the co-founder of the Trichotillomania Clinic and Research Unit at Mass. General Hospital, I have heard her name mentioned by many of my clients. It seems that many have benefited from being a patient at MGH, and below is a link for more detailed information.
https://mghocd.org/staff/nancy-keuthen-ph-d/
I have purchased the book, "Help For Hair Pullers: Understanding and Coping with Trichotillomania, of which Dr. Keuthen has co-authored with Dan Stein, M.D. and Gary Christensen M.D. I have given copies to client's because it is motivating and encouraging. The book helps to identify when pulling takes place, and how to modify your behavior. It has a 4.7-star rating on Amazon and has helped so many. Below is a link to purchase on Amazon.
It is my personal commitment to help my clients with Trichotillomania, and I want to pass on credible sources. As simple as it sounds, our hair toppers have helped to grow hair. It is one part of adjusting behavior by creating a barrier that helps the puller to become more aware of their pulling.
I am honored to be one of the links in helping with Trich, and I strongly suggest visiting the Mass Generals website.
Below is a link from 2010 where Noelle Salon was featured on WCVB tv, on a segment called Hair Pulling Disorder Under-Diagnosed & Under-Treated. It features Dr. Michael Kaminer, a client of Noelle Salon named Marie, and me. Marie shares her personal story, and it is quite enlightening. I hope you watch.
Hair Loss background
With Alopecia Areata, fungal infections, other autoimmune diseases, thinning hair by Trichotillomania which removes hair follicles by physical means. At Noelle Salon, we cover the various approaches to hair solutions to treat hair loss, female pattern baldness, balding spots, and other conditions to which you lose hair. At Noelle Salon, we focus on hair growth techniques. Hair systems and hair extension maintenance is part of the journey while wearing them. For Trichotillomania, as our hair grows they both will loosen, and service is required. The difference between a hair system and hair extensions for Trichotillomania clients varies based on the location of hair loss.
