Trichotillomania and Diet
Can Dietary Changes Stop Hair and Eyelash Pulling?
Eating certain foods can noticeably increase urges to hair pull; the most common culprits being stimulants such as sugar, alcohol and caffeine. Some people find that reducing their intake of these can alleviate urges, making them more manageable.
The effects of diet on Trichotillomania are not completely clear-cut; everybody experiences different results after eating certain foods. Research by Trichotillomania Support reveals that over 70% of those who complete daily diet and urge record sheets can reduce the physical urges of Trichotillomania.
Lifestyle changes such as diet are a viable treatment for Trichotillomania and the John Kender diet has helped many reduce their urges. To test the effects of a food, such as sugar or glucose, on your urges, eliminate them from your diet for three months before introducing them back one day per week only, for a further four weeks. Keeping notes to observe patterns. In our experience the majority of trichsters do not recognize food-related urges to pull hair out, because they don't eliminate foods for long enough and/or keep adequate records.
Here at Trichotillomania Support we believe anyone can stop pulling and everyone's method will be different. For some it is possible to stop pulling just by changing your diet. Diet alone is most successful with children; adults tend to benefit from combining dietary changes with other forms of behavioural therapy, such as our own online coaching.
Diet Forum...Sugar... John Kender... Vegetarians... Free Download... BellyBusters... Recipes