Things that Help people be Pull Free
We asked 19,111 people with trichotillomania:
“ What usually helps you to stop pulling ?”
Over 20% of people we asked, found that keeping busy helped to reduce their hair pulling. The next most successful was sheer determination, followed by doing something else with your hands. Being around other people was also found useful; with 15% of people we asked stating this as helpful with trich. Moving about, thinking positively, noticing the damage caused and using preventative measures such as false nails, hats and gloves were the next top-scorers.
The 20 most frequent responses were (in order of prevalence) keeping busy (22%), determination (17%), doing something with my hands (16%), being around people (15%), moving about (12%), thinking, noticing the damage caused, hat/glove preventions, family/partner/friend mentioning it, realizing I’m doing it, distraction, negative emotion as a result of pulling, relaxation techniques, doing another activity, taking a bath/shower, being happy, sleep, physical exercise, using the computer/going online, eat/drink/chew something.
Types of Helper
We categorised the results into the following groups, the list of words commonly used in each group is ordered so the most frequently quoted word appears first in each list.
Keep Busy
|
Busy, activity, occupied, action, project, hobby, productive, task |
Determination
|
Stop myself, tell myself, control, force, forcing myself, make myself, determination, deciding, discipline, trying, try, concentrate |
Hands Busy
|
Hands, play, fiddle, holding, putty, fist clenching, ring, ball, toy, clasping, thimble |
Company
|
People, someone, around people, public, company, social, somebody, interruption, anyone, anybody |
Move About
|
Going out, away, walking away, getting up, moving, get up |
Think Positive
|
Thought, thinking, remind, remember, self talk, forgive |
Damage
|
Bald spot, looking in mirror, seeing, seeing the damage, no eyelashes, amount, seeing the amount, hair thinning, ugly, appearance, vanity, insults |
Hats/Gloves
|
False nails, acrylic nails, gloves, hat, cover, scarf, bandana, wig, cap, glasses, sock, plaster, band-aid, mittens, band |
Family
|
Friend, family, husband, boyfriend, parent, partner, girlfriend, son, wife, sister |
Realizing
|
Realising, snapping out of it, awareness, recognising, understanding, waking up |
Distraction
|
Mind off, change, changing, redirection, break, count, attention |
Negativity
|
Embarassment, guilt, mad, shame, fear, disgust, frustration, anger, regret, rage |
Relaxation
|
Relaxation, playing my Growth CD, calm, deep breathing, yoga, hypnotherapy, hypnosis, reducing stress, breathing |
Activities
|
Reading, writing, doing something different, cleaning, cooking, drawing, books, driving, dancing, craft, hobby, shopping, swim, cross stitch, paint fingernails, housework, bracelet making, watch a film, crossword |
Bathing
|
Shower, wet, hair wash, clean head, cleaning, water, shampoo, bath, swim |
Being happy
|
Happy, good, positive, confidence, content, courage, smiling |
Sleep
|
Sleep, bed |
Exercise
|
Physical, exercise, working out, dancing, swim |
Computer
|
Computer, typing, online, internet, website |
Eat/Drink
|
Eat, drink, water, chew gum, alcohol, snack, putting something in my mouth, tea |
Restraint
|
Sit on hands |
Love
|
Love, hugs, cuddle |
Pain
|
Hurt, achy, ache, sore, scratchy |
Talk
|
Talk, support, discuss, admit |
Intervention
|
Yell, told off, shout, smack, external, restraint, threat |
Time
|
Time, clock |
Short Hair
|
Short, shaving |
Ponytail
|
Ponytail, brush, tying, band, braiding, comb, tye |
Hair Cut
|
Hair cut, hair done, haircut, trim, new hair style |
Holiday
|
Holiday, vacation, trip |
Avoid Mirror
|
Not looking in/avoid mirror/tweezers |
Oils/Creams
|
Vaseline, oil, hand lotion, gel, ice, paint fingernails |
Event
|
looking forward to an event or occasion |
The remaining helpers that were quoted by a few people we asked follow, listed in order of frequency: Medication, prayer, remove mascara and make-up, music, setting goals, diet, rewards, and not touching the hair or lash.
© Trichotillomania Support UK 2010