How do you stop trichotillomania?!
Question:
How do you stop trichotillomania?
I've had it since i was 3, and that was 9 years ago! Please i need answers!
Answers:
First of all, you are lucky to know WHAT it is you are suffering from...I started at 3 also (which is unusually young, BTW), and until I was 25 I thought what I had was a bad habit that I just could not stop. Then I found this website:
http://trichotillomania.co.uk/
It was so refreshing to know that what I had was a disorder and that I was not alone. I was amazed to find so many helpful tips on this site. I changed my diet - cut back on caffeine and chocolate - like they advised. It helped a LOT! I also monitored what I ate and drank to see what else triggered the itch - or urge to pull. I was very upset when I discovered cool ranch doritos was one of my worst enemies in the battle against Trich! :(
SO, I would advise you to read all that you can about the disorder. Change and monitor your diet for foods that cause the urge to get stronger. Don't deprive yourself of sleep (that makes my Trich worse). Realize that Trich is just something you suffer from. It does NOT define WHO you are.
Since finding the website I mentioned above in Dec 2002, I have been able to fight the battle against Trich simply by modifying my diet and exercising a little willpower (OK, sometimes a lot of willpower, especially when I cave and have a latte!). I have not tried behavioral therapy or drugs, but realize that others may need a little extra help. You can beat this...if you tell yourself that you can.