Trichotillomania FAQ

Disclaimers:
  1. This is the FAQ of a support group.  It does not represent itself as a medical site or as a source for a cure for trichotillomania.
  2. The support group is no longer active.  It served its purpose for many years and opened much more dialogue about trich than had existed before.  It led to the establishment of many websites devoted to trich.
  3. Anything you read here should be compared to other sources before you try it.  Examples of other sources: your own common sense and professionals in the field.
  4. Brand names on this site are not commercial endorsements; they have merely been suggested by trichsters who have had some type of success with these particular brands.

About the FAQ

Terminology: The main thing which comes to mind here is that we say "trich" almost exclusively instead of "trichotillomania" or the common abbreviation "TTM." You might want to be aware of that more common abbreviation when you talk to other trichsters. Also, we use the word "trichster," which new posters might never have heard of! Well, most posters seem to like it better than "trichotillomaniac!" It is more light-hearted. Also, using this particular terminology makes for a lot of good puns about trich being tricky but about us trichsters not letting trich trick us! :-).

The questions

  1. Do I have trich?
  2. What causes trich?
  3. What maintains trich?
  4. Brief summary of answers to the last two questions :-)
  5. Is trich related to OCD's or other disorders?
  6. Who gets trich? How many trichsters are there in the world?
  7. Are there different issues for people who pull from different places on their bodies?
  8. Am I the only one who ... (Don't be afraid to ask. You aren't the only one--trich is more than just the act of pulling hair.)
  9. Why do I pull more
    1. late at night?
    2. when I have PMS?
    3. after a fight?
    4. when I am studying? (I could go on her wth examples but won't. Ashort answer seems to be that stress and fatigue and hormonal changes all seem likely to reduce serotonin levels, which seems to put us more at risk for pulling.)
  10. Is there a cure?
  11. What do people try in order to stop?
    1. General strategies
    2. General healthcare
    3. Hair and skin care
    4. Preventative tricks
    5. Behavior modification
    6. Meds
    7. Other
    8. The John Kender Diet
  12. What are some other resources? (This needs the most revision.  Hopefully since you found this page, you have also found the links to other trich sites.  Now that I have settled into my new home and job, I should have time to update this.  As always I welcome your suggestions.  Send email to the address given above.)
    1. The Trichotillomania Learning Center (TLC) (This is where you are probably most likely to be able to find a list of clinics, workshops, professionals in your area known to have experience in working with trich, support groups, and even some individuals in your area who have agreed to let their names be released.)
    2. Internet
    3. Chat channels
    4. Books
    5. List of abstracts on trichotillomania
    6. Short list of media reports
    7. Other
  13. Forget a cure! What can I do RIGHT NOW to cover up the damage!!??
    1. Scalp
    2. Eyelashes
    3. Eyebrows
  14. What is in my future (long range and short range) if I join you in trying to stop pulling?
  15. Why try? Seriously, why not just accept that this is a natural activity and just go on with life?
  16. What kind of regrowth can I expect?
    1. How long does regrowth take?
    2. Why does it change texture when it comes back in?
    3. The change in texture bothers me. Is there anything I can do about it?
    4. My eyelashes and eyebrows come out more and more easily, and they grow back in with black roots more and more often. Will my eyelash and eyebrow roots ever be healthy again?
    5. What if I never look as good as I did when I was young?
  17. How do I tell people about what I do and feel? (I worked hard on this page but it has apparently disappeared. ???)
    1. Some verbal snapshots of trichsters at various stages of success
  18. My loved one pulls. Can I help them in any way?
  19. Do you have any special advice for my child who pulls?
  20. Is there a support group in my area? (This very often asked question is best referred to the TLC, but it doesn't hurt to ask it again on the board as that might be a way for you to link up with someone you've already found you enjoy communicating with. TLC will also help people start support groups in their area. Also, a good link in case you would like to learn how to start a support group is Kansas' Self-Help Network SHARE Library.)
  21. Why does the bulletin board have this effect on me? (e.g., euphoria, more pulling, less pulling, etc.)

Some more questions (ones with short answers)

  1. Is this likely to get worse? All there is in this section now is that it can happen. Don't live in fear but do treat signs of progession seriously. Trying to replace one pulling area with another often results in two pulling areas.
  2. It has been a while since I last pulled? How do I know if I am cured? Generally old-timers on the board avoiding references to cures. Experience shows that remissions can last for years, yet relapses can still occur. Rather than let this depress, enjoy the remissions while they last because they are a wonderful feeling. Then if you have a relapse, don't despair and don't be hard on yourself. Have a little cry and then try again.
  3. I think I saw another puller. Should I approach this person? How would I? We aren't sure. Are you this person's friend? That might matter. If you do approach them, it would be good to let them know you aren't just asking a question out of curiosity. Maybe you could just talk about your own problem in a quiet way near that person. Some would feel very bad to receive direct confirmation that their problem is visible to other people, so be careful.
  4. Which hand do people pull with? Some with their dominant hand, some with their nondominant, and some with both--no trend has been reported.
  5. Should I try Rogaine? It has been found that hair growth stimulated by Rogaine will fall out if the Rogaine is discontinued. That has made some on the bulletin board ask whether stopping Rogaine will affect hair which would have grown back on its own anyway. I doubt it or there would have been a lot of men complaining that trying Rogaine briefly made them go completely bald but the concensus on the bulletin board was that it would be good to try other options, including waiting for up to two years after stopping pulling, before worrying about Rogaine. The greater the trauma the longer it can take the follicles to regenerate. And even without repeated trauma it will usually take at least three months to see significant regrowth.
  6. Has anyone tried to get trich talked about on "Oprah" or "20/20" or other show? Yes, some letters have been written but no significant interest was shown by the shows.
  7. Has anyone ever wondered if famous people have trich? Sure. We couldn't name any but we definitely wondered about whether the old English hairstyle with the drastically receding hairline was prompted by a queen or noblewoman who had trich. :-) Also, there is a reference to pulling hair out in the Bible.
  8. Has anyone ever noticed that pets get trich? Yes, cats and birds and dogs seem to get it too. Some are give OCD meds for it and some are give vitamin supplements. I think I even read about a cat or dog getting hormone shots for it.

Acknowledgements

Immeasurable gratitude to Mark and Kelly Luljak for providing the trichotillomania server and their continuing continuing contributions to the site.

Kudos to Mark, Kelly, Nannette, Mike Grant and John Kender for their pioneering efforts in making information available to trichsters over the internet.

And thanks to everyone from the bulletin board who has offered encouragement during the FAQ creation process, especially those who provided information and critical feedback, including the FAQ creation team which was active in November and December of 1997 and the following individuals: Amanda, Margaret, Heather Greenbank, Lulu, and Sue Price. There are several others but they will remain anonymous until I get permission (or instructions :-) to include their names.

In the beginning stages of FAQ creation it became clear to me that I wouldn't be able to compile all of the information if I had to worry about telling who contributed each piece of information. Also, there are some parts of bulletin board posts included in the pages of the FAQ which haven't been accompanied by names because I don't want anyone to fear that if they make a helpful post they run the risk of me putting their name in a prominent place on the web.

Thus, many have gone uncredited. This might change, especially if folks write to me saying they want to be acknowledged for their contribution, or just that they want to have their name included so others will know whom to contact for further information.

Finally, I know I simply can't thank everyone enough but I want everyone posting on the bulletin board to take a bow for being part of this legacy to a future generation who through our efforts will know more about trich than we do now.

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