Rogers Memorial Hospital

Although there is no one treatment that has been found to help everyone, a number of combinations of trichotillomania treatments have shown promise. One of the most promising trichotillomania treatments involves the use of behavior therapy.

Behavior therapy as a trichotillomania treatment works to alter hair pulling behavior by identifying the precise factors that trigger trichotillomania (hair pulling), and employing learning skills to interrupt and redirect responses to those triggers.

Trichotillomania treatments should be performed by someone who is trained in this method and well-versed in trichotillomania. The therapist may encourage hair pullers to develop an increased awareness of the times of day, emotional states, and other factors that promote hair pulling. This becomes a sign to being able to control the behavior

Some hair pullers have had success for trichotillomania treatments with behavioral devices, such as:

• Putting bandages on their fingers to interfere with hair pulling
• Being trained in behavioral monitoring techniques to help keep track of urges to pull, pulling, and situational triggers for both
• Training in respiratory control to help manage urges to pull and to reduce general stress and anxiety
• Using exposure therapy through a gradual, hierarchical approach
• Training in habit reversal and stimulus control procedures

Other trichotillomania treatments also include the use of medications or pharmaceutical therapy, which have also shown promise in reducing the severity of trichotillomania symptoms, especially when coupled with behavior therapy.

If you or someone you know may require treatment for trichotillomania, contact Rogers Memorial Hospital at 1-800-767-4411 for an initial needs assessment or a referral to a treatment provider in your area.