Things to say and not to say (And Not Say) To Someone with Trichotillomania
Trichotillomania mostly known as trich is portrayed by a strong desire to pull out hair from the eyelashes, eyebrows, scalp, or different regions of the body to soothe a nervous feeling. In the event where the hair pulling is extremely serious, it can result in bald patches, which are usually described as humiliating, isolating, and disappointing for trichotillomania sufferers.
Hair pulling can happen consciously or unconsciously because of stress, boredom, expectant uneasiness, daydreaming, and other different conditions. People even feel relaxed and satisfied after the hair pulling episode. People describe this feeling as they scratched an itchy scalp or removed unwanted hair. Friends and family can find it confusing that their loved one felt this behavior pleasurable.
Surely, it can be an indication that an individual is managing uncertain anxiety or the lack of ability to deal with the stress effectively. However, sometimes no specific reason can explain this habit.
If you or any you know experience trichotillomania, the right option to find an authorized psychologist who is an expert in habit reversal training and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to help manage the symptoms of the disorder. Meanwhile, we have compiled a list of things that you should say (and not to say) to a person who is dealing with trichotillomania as these can often do more harm than good.
Why don’t you just stop?
This is the worst thing to ask as it is very irritating and annoying for people with trichotillomania. It would feel like people don’t understand that a person wants to leave this habit, has attempted to stop but can’t. It will be like people don’t care enough to find about this condition properly and suggest something more constructive.
Why do you pull your hair out?
People with trichotillomania usually don’t have an idea about the reason or trigger for the urges of hair pulling whether it is stress, anxiety, depression, or boredom, so it is not good to ask a person with trichotillomania about the reason as they won’t be able to tell the reason and it might worsen the situation.
Have you seen a doctor? There must be a medication that you can take
The reality is that there is no cure for trich. The research for trichotillomania is comparatively new. We visit a doctor for other health conditions, but there is no medication to stop our urges. For many in the medical community, this remains a mystery until now.
You should stop hair pulling, you have bald patches
People suffering from trichotillomania already live with the fear that people may see bald patches and if you confirm this, their embarrassment will further increase. Trichotillomania sufferers already have low self-esteem regarding the bald patches so you don’t have to make it worse.
Stop hiding your bald patches so you can actually see the damage
Covering up or hiding bald spots is controversial. Some people may feel free to take off their wigs and makeup, while others find it embarrassing and shameful, and they can go back to feeling helpless, hopeless, and away from their aims of avoiding this behavior. Skip this advice, until you know exactly how a person will react to this thing.
Don’t observe carefully the person with trichotillomania and say something when they are pulling hair
Don’t do this until you are asked by the person to do this. Many people with trichotillomania feel judged and watched with this thing, so ask them if verbal notice would help before judging them.
You have to learn to stay relax, and the hair pulling may stop automatically
Generally, it is not true as people with trichotillomania constantly have hair pulling on their minds and have irrepressible urges to pull hair. Such urges to pull hair usually need much more than relaxation to stop this habit so don’t think that it is easy to manage.
You have to learn to stay relax, and the hair pulling may stop automatically
Generally, it is not true as people with trichotillomania constantly have hair pulling on their minds and have irrepressible urges to pull hair. Such urges to pull hair usually need much more than relaxation to stop this habit so don’t think that it is easy to manage.