A short FAQ

Name: Sue P.
Email: suep37@aol.com

1) How many of us are there?
Estimates are 5-10 Million people in the US (2-4% of the
population)

2) Does anyone ever really feeled cured?
The people I know who have achieved long-term (years) remission do not use the word "cured". They consider themselves to be in recovery, much like an alcoholic can be. But we can live full lives
even if we are not "cured" of trich.

3) Has medication helped many people?
Most people do not find that medications help their pulling, at least long-term. Some find that medications may help their depressionor other disorders which in itself can help the pulling. But
hair-pulling does not respond to meds the way Obsessive-CompulsiveDisorder does. The doctors that really know and have studied trich (only a handful unfortunately) believe that meds should not be the
first thing tried, and if tried, should be tried in combination with some type of behavior therapy.

4) Does it help in fighting this to be honest with family and friends? I have lied about it for so long.
I personally have found it to be a great relief to have told my familyand friends, because they were supportive and it's nice not to have to lie and hide about it with the most important people in my life. I think most people have had this experience. Unfortunately, some people, including some spouses, are not supportive. So you are taking a risk, but most people seem to react along the lines of "if the worst thing you can tell me about yourself is that you pull you're hair, you've got a lot going for you!"

5) Where does the incessant itching come from that triggers the pulling episodes?

6) Could this be allergy-related?

Very good questions, and researchers are starting to look into those issues. The official DSM-IV definition of trich states that it is not caused by a dermatological condition, but researchers are starting to think that may not be appropriate.

Go up one level to www.fairlite.com/trich, and there are links to the
following sites:

Trichotillomania Learning Center (TLC) www.trich.org or 408-457-1004:
you can get a good info packet from them, and can become a member to
get their quarterly newsletter. The most recent nrewsletter had a
great article about how to find a good behavior therapist, as well as
people's personal stories. Also, TLC sponsors an annual retreat
which will be held in central Mass Aug 22-25. We will have some
workshops specifically for men.

Pioneer Clinic: has good Q&A section.

Amanda's site: huge and wonderful. It does have some discussion of
the allergy theory.

There are also links to abstracts on trich research, the official
definition, and other interesting reading. Good luck!

Sue