![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by katie on April 22, 1999, at 22:55:51
I actually never knew there was a name for this. I'm rather embaressed to admit this, but I started doing the hair pulling as a child around age 12. First I started beating my head up with a brush to gain my mother's attention. When that didn't work I yanked my hair out in clumps. My step mother was shocked to see the amount of hair loss about a year and a half later while she was curling what hair was left. I was immediatly taken to see a dermatologist and I got the "attention" I needed (supposedly) and I was temporaraly cured. I still sneak a "stray" every now and then. Every time I even think about it I reprimand myself mentally even while that strand is about to be pulled. I have been able to go for years without ever laying a mean finger on my head. For some reason though (maybe a compusive behavior) I sometimes revert to destructive habits. Just talking about this is a relief....
Posted by saintjames on April 22, 1999, at 23:24:50
In reply to trichotillomania, posted by katie on April 22, 1999, at 22:55:51
> I actually never knew there was a name for this. I'm rather embaressed to admit this, but I started doing the hair pulling as a child around age 12.
James here....This is thought to be related to/form of OCD, an anxiety disorder. Meds used in OCD tend to work well. Generally you start with SSRI's (Prozac, et al)as they have a better side effect profile. Anafranil (a TCA) is also used in OCD, though it
seems to have pronounced TCA side effects in some.It is funny you mentioned that you did not know there is a name for this....the same is/was very common in OCD...people just live with it and hide it. I've seen studies that sugest OCD is rather common.
j
Posted by Mare on April 23, 1999, at 8:29:27
In reply to trichotillomania, posted by katie on April 22, 1999, at 22:55:51
Hi Katie! I feel for you, as I suffer with this, and have ever since I was a child. I am lucky that I have thick hair, and I never did it to the point of having large clumps missing. Being on an antidepressent has helped quite a bit, yet I still find myself doing it, especially during times of stress or boredom (watching TV, etc.) Some people actually not only pull hair out of their heads, but their eyelashes, eyebrows and public hair (ouch!). I never went to those extremes, thankfully. It's am embarrassing thing, I know, and the only person that I EVER told was my psychiatrist, and only within the last few months. I'm 43 now. Good job in getting a handle on it yourself! I think that's unusual. My doctor told me it's not an obsessive-compulsive behavior, only an obsessive behavior. Good luck to you!
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.