silvergrl1909 asked:
My friend was physically and emotionally abused by his parents as a child. He began pulling his hair out at an ealry age, plucking himself almost bald. Now, at 35 when he gets stressed out or bored, he pulls his hair, especially his eyebrows and facial hair until he has bald patches. Is there anyway that I can help him overcome this, or will he need professional help to deal with his past in order to overcome this disorder? Any information is welcome. This is very serious and I don't consider this a joke, so please only serious answers and comments.
Website content
My friend was physically and emotionally abused by his parents as a child. He began pulling his hair out at an ealry age, plucking himself almost bald. Now, at 35 when he gets stressed out or bored, he pulls his hair, especially his eyebrows and facial hair until he has bald patches. Is there anyway that I can help him overcome this, or will he need professional help to deal with his past in order to overcome this disorder? Any information is welcome. This is very serious and I don't consider this a joke, so please only serious answers and comments.
Website content
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
This condition is called trichotillomania. It is an impulse control disorder closely associated with OCD. Fortunately, it is quite treatable. A medication called anafranil has been very helpful to many who struggle with it. Psychotherapy is also very helpful.
You're a good friend for trying to help
Best of luck,
~M~
p.s. You can find high quality info in the following website:
i think maybe you shuld cut it all off, and recomend him maybe working at a barber shop so liek he doent cut his own hair, u know what im saying?
i had this from the 4th grade to the 6th grade….i know not long but it was very hard and humilitating…people always thought i had cancer because i did pick it bald and i wont even look at pix from back then….and youre right ITS NOT A JOKE OR IS IT FUNNY!! my parents put me in therapy and i saw a counselor on a regular basis…they got me a troll doll and made me pick its hair instead…although as an adult this method may not work…but he needs something else to do with his hands….it helped when they got me a dog also…i spent soo mcuh time with my dog…i forgot about the hair pulling and it just went away…mind you now i have a whole set of different obsessions that im suffering from so it may go much deeper than that…but i hope it comforts you to know….it is treatable!!
First off, don't let anyone on this site tell you what your friend has; that's stupid, unethical (if they actually know anything about counseling in disorders), and wrong.
That being said, the best thing to do would be to encourage your friend to see someone who treats anxiety and impulse control disorders, usually behavioral specialists. Medication can help too, but if he doesn't want to take meds, he can pursue a more natural route.
Leave a Comment