Trichotillomania Support Resources
I have been working with children and adults with Trichotillomania for over twenty years. During my tenure, I have been blessed to work with parents, children, and adults who have shared some of their support systems. I have an increased understanding of what drives a person to pick at their hair and skin, but I have learned about professionals that have made a difference to help support BFRB behavior.
Our understanding of the disorder has helped our clients to understand they are not alone, and they feel comfortable with our expertise. We do help prevent hair pulling with our hair system, a "barrier," technique that not only restores one's hair, but prevents pulling, and allows hair to grow. But once hair is growing, it is essential to have a support system.
We have been recommended by the foremost New England medical professionals, some seem to benefit from medications combined with therapy. Below is a list of some of the professionals we have worked with, and doing your own research is paramount.
1) Center for OCD Related Disorders at Mass General Hospital Boston. Nancy Keuthen, PHD., has been working with TTM for decades, and her team has programs for habit awareness support training. CBT, cognitive behavioral therapy, is part of the solution program, in addition to response training. They work with medications such as SSRIs.
https://www.massgeneral.org/doctors/16797/nancy-keuthen
2) Since BFRB's "Body-Focused Repetitive Behavior," can begin as young as four years old, and often the major onset begins in pre-teens, Boston University offers help and research for young people.
www.childbu@bu.edu
3) Support for all related OCD disorders, this includes family support, therapy, faith, and behavior modification. There is power in number, you can join a meeting too.
Support group:
Support Listings For BFRB, and Trichotillomania
1) International OCD Foundation support for individuals, families, and children. They are breaking the pulling/picking stigma. The website is rich with resources, and you can research your area of the country to find service providers, physicians, and therapists with extensive backgrounds.
You can get involved with support groups, research, conferences, community events, behavioral therapy, and online therapy! There are nationwide resources that will help, and there is an array of treatment professionals.
IOCDF.org has books, and research papers that are quite interesting. This will help you to gain an understanding of treatment, and behavior. Telehealth is offered.
2) THE TLC Foundation is a website with research, case studies, programs, and support groups, and it is easily navigated. You can start with the "Journey," section which helps to identify behaviors, and there are listing for individual and community support.
APPS
Many of our clients have expressed that they benefit from apps, watches, and fidgets that bring awareness to their picking, and pulling behaviors. Keep in mind that hair pulling is just one of the BFRB behavior.
The most popular App is Trichstop, it is tailored to help in behavioral modification. The app is quite intense and breaks down every moment of the day. It is available on iPhones, and iPads. Apps can gadgets can work for some people, but it is worth trying.
It is recommended for ages twelve and above and has a 4.7 rating on Mac.
As you can see there are many pieces to the puzzle that will help with BFRBs, it is important to seek support, research the disorder, and ask for help.
I can proudly say that I have been part of many clients' recovery! We will gladly support you on your road to recovery, with kindness, understanding, and compassion.
Join our support, and solutions group on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/trichotillomaniasolutions
Below is a link to view Noelle Salon bringing awareness to Trichotillomania over 10 years ago! Feel free to comment on this article, or email direct; noelle@noellesalon.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cycy-0SABI&t=29s
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.
