You were receiving the treatment they use for this, CBT. Behavioral therapists treat this. Perhaps your former therapist wasn't a good match for you and you can see someone new.

There is a group for this condition here at DS. I don't know how active it is. Go to Psychology Today's website and see if you can find a therapist in your area who treats this condition. Good luck and keep us posted.

hello pink hearts. welcome to the forum.

ya got me curious enough to do a mini-surf and i confess that i was surprised to find quite a few specialists in precisely that. many of them seem to be OCD specialists, but i found one web site which super specialized in trichotillomania that is fully virtual with 24/7 support.

https://www.trich-free.com/

while the trichotillomania community is not very active, as such, here on ds, the many flavors of OCD are common among chronic anxiety sufferers. my own OCD flares up in a creative array of compulsive behaviors.

i hope you'll feel safe to vent and sort your own compulsions here.
welcome aboard.

Welcome to the anxiety board at DS.

Trich is not active here, which is why referrals are to the main anxiety board-as trich comes under anxiety.

CBT is the best method to learn the ins and outs of how to manage trich naturally. The difference, though, is you get out of it as much as you put into it, from the beginning. I keep a journal, use stick figure to show the pattern of touch, self-soothing.

Trich is not a singular action - it uses self-soothing techniques that are not effective for positive results.

This is why when someone says 'it didn't work', my first question is, how much homework did you do between office visits and how much time did you take to work on the different assignments?,

I agree, this board will give you support, understanding, acceptance, and a place to vent, and sort through your feelings as you find your better balance.

You are not alone here.

Trich is a direct result of anxiety. The trich is just how your anxiety manifests, no different than OCD, cutting/self harm, health anxiety, etc. You pull your hair out to relieve anxiety. Deal with it as an anxiety disorder. Some Folks with OCD perform rituals, social anxiety folks avoid social situations, etc. It’s Only Anxiety by Carl James/Hope and Help For Your Nerves by Dr Claire Weekes. Two great resources for anxiety.

To answer your question - psychologists do talk therapy, psychiatrists are medical doctors (M.D.'s) who do medications.

Try another therapist. Hopefully one that is knowledgeable in trich.

Hope you find the help you need. It is out there. Keep looking, keep trying.

Best wishes.

Hi thank you everybody for your replies they are all very helpful. And thanks arfie for the web link I had a look and it was really interesting. Yeah I do agree about it being related to ocd as well, as previously I’ve struggled badly with topics so as false memory ocd and I think it’s connected to that in some way. Thanks for all your advice I will keep looking and hopefully will find the best person who deals with it.