[kelbelle]

my son has just been diagnosed with trichotillomania he's only 12 years old and already has a large bald patch. i don't know what to do to support him in the best way can anyone help me please?!! he won't talk to me as he is v.embarrased about it i've tried telling him it's not his fault but he keeps getting angry with himself. anyone got any tips i can give him to try to stop pulling?

[jexa]

Hi kelbelle,

Why don't you buy him a book? This might be easier for him and less embarrassing than talking about it.

http://www.amazon.com/Hair-Pulling-H...2811698&sr=1-2

[kelbelle]

thanks will look into it for him

Get him to do something else with his hands. Grab a controller and play a video game? Rubik cube? PlayDough even though he's 12? Drawing?

I knew someone who broke her kid out of this just by treating it as a bad habit..every time he got the urge she put something else in his hands. Handheld games kept him from doing it in the car and in waiting rooms.

Maybe when his hair grows back he can just get a really short short fade? Will he pull it if it's that short? School will be hell for him if he has huge bald patches.

[kelbelle]

thanks for ur advice will put it into action!! we've discussed him having his hair cut short but decided against it untill his hair grows back so the bald patch can't be seen because as you said school will be hell if the other kids notice it,

What does his therapist say?

[kelbelle]

he's not seeing a therapist yet he is on a waiting list which could take up to 6 months

Originally Posted by kelbelle

he is on a waiting list which could take up to 6 months

That's insane. Call around and find somewhere else.

[Moreta]

Just don't yell @ him and smack his hand every time he does it.

That was how my mom treated mine and that would be why I still pull out my hair. The worst thing is I'm 25 and if she sees me doing it she still does it, even in public, even when i'm going to just scratch my head. What the what?!?!?

And this is one of the many reasons she will be receiving nothing this mother's day.

[Gabi925]

Originally Posted by QueenAccountant

Just don't yell @ him and smack his hand every time he does it.

That was how my mom treated mine and that would be why I still pull out my hair. The worst thing is I'm 25 and if she sees me doing it she still does it, even in public, even when i'm going to just scratch my head. What the what?!?!?

And this is one of the many reasons she will be receiving nothing this mother's day.

It seems that neither of you could get rid of a bad habit. It's human and yu should try to laugh about together with your Mom. Don't you see it runs in the family?

My daughter woke me up with coffee and fruit salad and decided to think (to use her stubbornness in going on thinking) only of the good things I did for her.

[sharontemple]

I say shave his head. If I wasn't female I would have years ago!!! I also agree with keeping his hands busy, get him a guitar, drums some kind of creative outlet that will also boost his self esteem. Trich stems from anxiety and depression and the more you do it the worse you feel. Good luck

[sharontemple]

I say shave his head!!! If I wasn't a female I would.

Keeping his hands busy is a good idea. Get him a guitar, drums or some form of creative outlet which will build self esteem. Also physical activity is really important too. Trich stems from anxiety and depression, the more you do it the deeper you go to a negative place so its important to help him feel good about himself.

Good Luck

[Perna]

I like the book idea or the Internet. I'd find resources he could use to read up on and help himself.

http://www.trich.org/about/for-kids-teens.html