Comments on: Trichotillomania and Body Dysmorphic Disorder http://blog.trich.org/2010/02/04/trichotillomania-and-body-dysmorphic-disorder/ The blog for the Trichotillomania Learning Center, seeking to end the suffering caused by hair pulling disorder, skin picking disorder, and related body-focused repetitive behaviors since 1991. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:42:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Mandy http://blog.trich.org/2010/02/04/trichotillomania-and-body-dysmorphic-disorder/#comment-970 Thu, 13 Oct 2011 20:30:58 +0000 http://blog.trich.org/?p=137#comment-970 My boyfriend has been noticing me pulling my hair out while I’m asleep. It’s gotten to the point where he wakes me up and tells me to stop. I’m in college, so needless to say very stressed out usually. I don’t know if this is Trich or not. I feel as though my hair has been thinning, but no bald spots. I don’t want to ignore it anymore, and my poor boyfriend needs a good night’s sleep. Any suggestions?

]]> By: Debbi http://blog.trich.org/2010/02/04/trichotillomania-and-body-dysmorphic-disorder/#comment-818 Mon, 06 Jun 2011 15:03:42 +0000 http://blog.trich.org/?p=137#comment-818 I have not mentioned Glutamate in any of my posts. I am not sure what you are talking about.

]]> By: Guru http://blog.trich.org/2010/02/04/trichotillomania-and-body-dysmorphic-disorder/#comment-816 Mon, 06 Jun 2011 01:06:06 +0000 http://blog.trich.org/?p=137#comment-816 NAC converts the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate into glutathione thus reducing the level of glutamate within the brain. Your assumption on the increase of glutamate is false (incorrect).

]]> By: Debbi http://blog.trich.org/2010/02/04/trichotillomania-and-body-dysmorphic-disorder/#comment-790 Mon, 23 May 2011 16:37:57 +0000 http://blog.trich.org/?p=137#comment-790 Hi Jay!
I feel for you and your situation. I have been on NAC since Jan. 2010, still without problems and doing well. I take 1800 mg/day. NAC helps with mood, so you may find relief there, too. I also recommend you take 1000 mg/day of Inositol, an all natural B vitamin that helps mood a lot. Best wishes! Debbi

]]> By: JAY http://blog.trich.org/2010/02/04/trichotillomania-and-body-dysmorphic-disorder/#comment-780 Tue, 03 May 2011 00:15:24 +0000 http://blog.trich.org/?p=137#comment-780 i’ve suffered with trich since 13 i am now 26, i’ve been bald many times and now i keep my hair short. the doctors in the UK wont diagnose me they say it will go when my deppression does, but it hasnt . I’m so glad there are others like me, will try this method and update

]]> By: angie http://blog.trich.org/2010/02/04/trichotillomania-and-body-dysmorphic-disorder/#comment-759 Tue, 29 Mar 2011 18:07:16 +0000 http://blog.trich.org/?p=137#comment-759 Hello Everyone ,
I have a 1oyr old daughter who has had trich since she was 7. She started out with doing her eyebrows/eyelashes until recently she stopped that and has started on her scalp. I have been reading everyone’s post and I am wanting to start my daughter one the NAC , but I have been nervous as to what dosage etc. I did send an email to Dr.Grant. I havent had a reply yet. Thank you all for your support and ideas.. I will keep you posted to her progress. Anyone going to the san fran conference?

]]> By: Mara http://blog.trich.org/2010/02/04/trichotillomania-and-body-dysmorphic-disorder/#comment-753 Fri, 25 Feb 2011 07:32:28 +0000 http://blog.trich.org/?p=137#comment-753 Wow, I found this blog quite late. I’m a 16 year old female teen and have been pulling for as long as I can remember. I’ve always been fascinated by the roots (at first it was the white specks then progressed to the whole pigment with casing) and sometimes pulled just to feel and study them.

Now that I’ve studied biology and such, I’m fascinated with the human body in general. When I pull and get a nice root, I get all excited and try to pick it apart, trying to see what it is made of. I even looked up hair anatomy online to try and make sense of what was coming out of my head.

I think roots hold such appeal because they’re located under the skin where we can’t see them. The shaft of the hair can be seen by anyone so it’s not “special” as far as pulling is concerned. When I pull I hope for a root so I can study it some more, so it’s probably that fascination of what lies beneath and out of sight that makes me want to pull it out.

Maybe it’s just my biology obsession? I don’t know any other trichs so I don’t know if other people feel this way as well.

]]> By: Mary Parrott http://blog.trich.org/2010/02/04/trichotillomania-and-body-dysmorphic-disorder/#comment-752 Tue, 22 Feb 2011 19:04:13 +0000 http://blog.trich.org/?p=137#comment-752 Thanks Alexis!

I just found Stress X by Biogenisis on Amazon.com of all places! I don’t know how they did that but there it is. Does the medicine make your daughter sleepy or tired. My daughter has been showing signs of not only anxiety but depression, so I want to be careful with what I give her. I may order some. Don’t feel about the Vit C, better late than never. I know what you mean about doctors not thinking outside the box…VERY frustrating. I have been dealing with that for years. Unfortunately my husbands health insurance does not cover naturopathic doctors, or I would be going there for help. I have found help with a book called “Prescription for Nutritional Healing” by Phyliss A. Balch, CNC. I use it for every ailment. I am not a big fan of Meds and have tried therapy for myself for years with no answers for Trich. The Meds made me feel more anxious and did not help with Trich. Most therapists and Psychiatrist really don’t know how to stop the compulsion, much less know why we do it. So we are forced to try new things to help ourselves, but it gets tricky (no pun intended LOL) when kids are involved. I would much rather be the guinea pig. Fortunately for my daughter I have Trich too ( 34 years now). I will do all that I can to help her stop, so she doesn’t suffer. I am so appreciative of all the comments on here and on facebook and TLC. I just LOVE how much information is out there and how this disorder is being openly discussed now. It helps everyone to know they are not alone. Thank you for wanting to talk, I am going to write down your phone number but I don’t really talk on the phone much because the phone is a trigger for me and I don’t want to pull. If you want to find me on Facebook, look for Mary Parrott ( I am in a black top with with white embelishments on the top. I have blond hair and you can see pink streamers and balloons in the back ground. I have quite a few Trich friends on there with children who have Trich too and we can all help each other. Just send me a message to confirm it’s me. Or you can email me at fourcoolbirds@msn.com.

Thanks Alexis!

Mary

]]> By: Alexis http://blog.trich.org/2010/02/04/trichotillomania-and-body-dysmorphic-disorder/#comment-751 Tue, 22 Feb 2011 18:25:08 +0000 http://blog.trich.org/?p=137#comment-751 Hi Mary,
I get the Stress X from my naturopath chiropractor, Dr. Keith Erwin in Bethel CT. He’s wonderful, extremely smart and is always researching things. I find that when I go to my daughter’s pediatrician that he’s just a generalist. They just can’t seem to think outside the box. I give her 1500mg of the NAC by Country Life (750mg am/750mg pm). But I’m testing out just giving her it once a day. I’m a bit freaked out that I didn’t know I have to give her the extra vitamin C. She’s been on NAC now since last July. We started the Stress X maybe in Oct or Nov. I give it to her 1 in the am/ 1 at pm. I pull the pills apart and mix the powder in some Simply Lemonade. She just can’t swallow pills yet. This has definitely worked for my daughter but if I miss a dose, then she’ll pull/rub out her eyelashes. She says they bother her, get in her eyes and that’s why she’ll pull. If you ever want to talk, you can call me at 203-798-2780. I know what it’s like to be your kids only advocate and to feel like no one is listening.
Alexis

]]> By: Mary Parrott http://blog.trich.org/2010/02/04/trichotillomania-and-body-dysmorphic-disorder/#comment-750 Tue, 22 Feb 2011 17:56:09 +0000 http://blog.trich.org/?p=137#comment-750 Hi Alexis,

This is in response to your post on Feb 10. I looked up Stress X by Biogenisis. It says that you must be a licensed health care provider to get it. Did you go through your childs pediatrician? Did that doctor tell you about this? Are you using a regular doctor or a homeopathic doctor? How did you learn about this product and how much do you give your daughter. I am a bit reluctant to talk to my daughters pediatrician since they mostly deal with medicine ,and are unfamiliar with vitamins. Plus once you tell them about Trich they want you to get into therapy, and on Meds as soon as possible and if you don’t then you are neglecting your child. I AM trying to help her, so if you have any info that you can share that would be great!

Thanks,
Mary

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