Medication
Medication is not viewed as being a complete treatment for TTM. Research is limited but some people do find it helpful. It is recommended that it is used in combination with other treatment (eg CBT). The most common class of drugs used are SSRIs which include Prozac, Citalopram and Paroxetine.
The main benefits are:
- helping to reduce depression and anxiety which are often triggers for hair pulling and/or develop as a result of the hair pulling
- medication may help reduce the actual symptoms of hair pulling
For further information about drugs you may find it helpful to call the UK Psychiatric Pharmacy Group (UKPPG) National Mental Health Drugs Telephone Line on 020 7919 2999. It is open 11am - 5pm weekdays.
Other treatments which people have found helpful, but are not scientifically shown to help TTM (in fact some have actually been disproved in the treatment of other disorders) are:
- Hypnosis
- Dietry supplements such as fish oils
- Special diets
- Hair Pieces
- Biofeedback