This is episode 139 of the Absolute Mind podcasts and this show is all about Trichotillomania, what it is and ways that you can help yourself to stop pulling hair.

This was another request from the Facebook audience so thank you so much appointment through and allowing me to create content that will hopefully help you in some way.

http://www.absolutemind.co.uk/freeanxietycourse 

Please do bear in mind that we have created this podcast to be of some insight and some sort of assistance but by no means a way to treat conditions on their own.

If you do have any deep-rooted conditions or ailments that you'd like some assistance with on a one-to-one professional approach, then please feel free to contact either myself or Michael on Facebook or directly through the website and we can arrange sessions that way or via Skype, whatever suits.

So let's get to some tips and understanding about Trichotillomania and ways to assist in overcoming the urge to pull hair. 

The very fact you are listening to this podcast means that you should have an awareness of what Trichotillomania is and perhaps you yourself or somebody you know is suffering from this habit.

What Is Trichotillomania?

People who have Trichotillomania have an irresistible urge to pull out their hair, usually this is on their scalp but can also be pulled from eyelashes, eyebrows, genital areas, beards or moustaches. It is a type of impulse control disorder similar to OCD obsessive compulsive disorder. People who suffer from this condition know that they are causing damage to them selves but the urge to pull is too strong.

Tips To Aid In Stopping 

Trichotillomania can be treated using CBT techniques such as habit reversal this is aimed at helping you to replace the bad habit with a new habit that is not harmful.

Some useful tips to assist in this can be:

1. Keep a diary of your hair pulling looking for triggers such as emotional states, feeling low, feeling stressed or anxious, 

2. Once you know your triggers try to avoid them

3. Replace the hair pulling with a stress ball or elastic band around your wrist, every time you feel the urge pull the band.

4. Talk to people, your loved ones could be the emotional support you need and by involving them you may feel a burden has been lifted and its not so much a secret anymore. 

 

Remember I am not a GP so cannot diagnose and the details in this podcast are ideas and tips that i have used with clients to help and aid them in their progress, if you are unsure or need to have any issues diagnosed please do visit your GP or talk to a professional on a 1-2-1 basis.