Trichotillomania: Medication Options

Research shows the most successful medications to be scalp applications, corticosteroids and eye-drops (for lash pullers). Supplements of DHA & Vitamin B6 were also found helpful. A recent study has also shown the amino acid supplement N-acetyl cysteine effective at treating trichotillomania.

We found no evidence that prescribing medication for depression, psychosis, OCD, epilepsy, ADHD or insomnia reduces trichotillomania symptoms, and can often make symptoms worse. In general, 21% of those prescribed medication for trichotillomania show any improvement, similar success rates are seen in trials administering a placebo.

We surveyed 33,113 people with trichotillomania and 1,342 (4%) of those asked had tried medication for trichotillomania, key results are summarized here in order of incidence.

We grouped results as either success (including those who found the medication helped slightly, for a short period of time, or helped dramatically with trichotillomania) or no-success (including those who found no change in pulling behavior or increase in pulling and urges to pull). 21% of those who tried medication for trichotillomania found it of some benefit- this figure is comparable to the 20% of people who found some relief from herbal remedies like St John’s Wort and the 16-20% improvements seen in trials utilising a placebo.

For more information about our research; please feel free to contact us.

 

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