Principal pitfalls for
parents of people with trichotillomania ... how to avoid the super-sensitive
getting all emotional and blaming you.
Your child could find comfort in our hypnotherapy
CD to help hair and lash pullers.
Or use our paced coaching program to assist with your understanding of the disorder and hopefully help your child stop pulling at the same time.
Principal pitfalls for parents ... things to avoid if you don't want that quick-sand sinking feeling!
| Shouting increases the shame chemicals which cause urges to pull and will perpetuate the problem. Recognise that your anger comes from sadness, and it is ok to be sad that your child has trichotillomania. |
| Blame … It is nobody's fault, not yours and not your child's and not the school's. Your child may complain of bullying, but this may be due to sensitivity levels associated with the disorder. Listen, but don't judge. |
| The child is being punished enough without being punishing for pulling. |
| Try not to be angry about the lying which often goes with trichotillomania … this is caused by increased levels of shame, causing the child to think that the truth is intolerable. There are hormonal and chemical causes and your child is not deliberately being dishonest. Lying may become a lot worse in puberty, but generally subsides in adulthood. |
Visits since 3rd September 2002