Compulsive hair pulling can be difficult to identify in children. It causes frustration, embarrassment, and shame not only for the child but also for the parent.

When does it start?

The typical age of onset for trichotillomania in children tends to coincide with the onset of puberty. Since the internal hormonal changes can be difficult to detect, a child could start puberty as early as 8 years old, which is why the typical age of onset for trich tends to be between ages 9 and 13. Some research links trichotillomania onset and severity with sex hormones, especially in girls which means the changing levels of estrogen, progesterone, and adrenocorticotropic hormone can create an environment ripe for developing trich or other BFRBs.

One of the first things that occur in therapy for trichotillomania involves increasing awareness about pulling behaviors. The goal is to help a person become more aware of the triggers, both internal and external, that get the behaviors started. Once those triggers become known, then the person can make an informed choice about whether to pull or do something else.

This summary is a simplistic view of the beginning stages of habit reversal therapy, which is one of the most widely used evidence-based therapeutic interventions for trich. However, sometimes it is not as easy as identifying triggers.

The reason alternative therapies are called “alternative” is that they do not have the support of the medical community or approval by the Food and Drug Administration. Does that mean they don’t work? No, it just means they have not been subjected to rigorous research, which would determine if it works as intended or does not work as intended. Before you try an alternative therapy, consider some of the following tips and suggestions.

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Treatments for trichotillomania run the gamut with cognitive-behavioral therapies such as habit reversal training and acceptance and commitment therapy ranking high for level of effectiveness. However, a study conducted in Australia presents another form of treatment modality using peer support that shows promise.

Holistic Recovery

During treatment, people with trich learn to manage behaviors, but they also work through the emotional toll of pulling. Many people with trich feel embarrassment, shame, and guilt because the disorder affects appearance, which increases social judgment. Therefore, addressing those feelings as well as anxiety, stress, depression, trauma or other mental health issues that accompany trich is an essential part of therapy. Often, social support in the form of groups or connecting with others further along in recovery gives people a boost. However, one challenge with compulsive hair pulling is its chronic, episodic nature which means a person can feel like recovery is a success and then experience a lapse.

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