“Is Trichotillomania a serious condition?”
My wife is suffering from trichotillomania and is currently on medication. However, she is also quite depressed. I really don’t know how I can be of any help to her. What should I do? How serious of a condition is this?
3 Answers
Depression is the more serious condition. There are medications that help with both.
This is serious enough that a psychiatric evaluation is indicated.
Trichotillomania is disorder that is on a spectrum from mild to serious in terms of the time it consumes and the amount of hair that is pulled out so that there is more or less obvious disfigurement and embarrassment. Usually, medications that are prescribed are anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medications -- occasionally, atypical anti-psychotics are used to boost efficacy. I have found that CBT and the use of workbooks that can be gotten online can be helpful. Also, wearing cotton gloves or mittens when the hands are idle helps prevent the pulling. A good therapist is a must. A spouse can help by being supportive in the above efforts and providing pleasant distractions.
Cassandra M. Klyman, M.D.
Cassandra M. Klyman, M.D.
