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Sometimes referred to as hair-pulling disorder or TTM, trichotillomania is a condition in which an individual has overwhelming, compulsive urges to pull their hair out from specific parts of the body. Treatment options for those who suffer from trichotillomania include different forms of behavioral therapy and medications, typically antidepressants, in more severe cases. Since medications only have a temporary effect on treating this disorder, their usage normally occurs in combination with some form of psychotherapy. A trichotillomania therapist helps clients ease their stress, avoid certain triggers, and create a foundation for a happier, more fulfilling life in the long term.
Those who choose to hire a trichotillomania therapist have the opportunity to improve the quality of their lives through the different therapies employed during the sessions. The main treatment commonly used for TTM is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy called habit reversal training (HRT), however other psychotherapy options include exposure and response prevention (ERP), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and stimulus control techniques. HRT treats hair pulling as a habituated response to certain situations and events. This therapy mainly concentrates on developing habit awareness, followed by the development of healthier coping strategies. Clients are encouraged to increase their awareness of the places, emotional states, times of day, and other circumstances that trigger hair pulling in order to avoid relapse.
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