Sian Confidential: I can’t stop pulling my hair out – literally

Dear Sian,

This is really embarrassing and stopping me from having relationships. Ever since I was a teenager, I’ve pulled out my hair. It gets worse when I’m stressed.  In the last few years I’ve taken to wearing wigs as the front of my hairline is patchy with couple of actual bald bits; the rest is spiky and tufty. It looks terrible. I’m 28 and have a good job working for a large firm in Newcastle. I’ve looked it up and know it is called Trichotillomania but don’t know how to stop it. Sometimes I do it and can’t remember and other times I do it deliberately knowing I’m going to be so upset after. Why do I do this and how can I stop? I’ve recently been feeling pretty down especially being isolated due to lockdown restrictions. I just overthink all of the time and get myself into a state about it so then end up doing it more!

Amelia

A good alternative route is CBT. I combine CBT with hypnosis for quick results. What often happens when you reduce one self-soothing behaviour another one develops to replace it. To prevent this, I suggest the use of “sweetie bracelets” or beads on elastic. These can be fiddled with and played with instead and don’t have any side effects. This is about breaking the habit, the conditioned behavioural response that is largely unconscious. Crazy sounding techniques do work, like wearing gloves while watching TV, or wearing a bandana while at the computer. You can be as creative as you want. It is very uncomfortable to break any habit and the key is perseverance. Hypnosis and key words implanted in the subconscious also work well for some people, alongside the practical stuff. If you find you are a worrier, and overthinker and suffer from anxiety CBT is a good option as you will also be reducing the thoughts that trigger the anxiety.

Sian

*Names are changed to protect anonymity.