I want to say thank you to rjsmama who emailed me to tell me about an inspirational and personal story of trichotillomania. Please leave your comments and she will be notified of them. This could be an alternative cure option for anyone with trichotillomania, I certainly had never come across it until now.
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I wanted to offer hope for anyone suffering from Trichotillomania.
My daughter began exhibiting mild “tics” at age 7 (swallowing, throat clearing, sniffing, eye blinking). Her pediatrician told me not to worry because it can be a normal part of a child’s brain development and that they would most likely come and go as her brain was changing/developing.
When she turned 9, she began pulling her eyelashes out. I panicked when I began reading about Trichotillomania and reading so many stories of individuals who have not been able to overcome it.
Through a round-a-bout contact, I was told of a doctor that does neurology testing in children. I decided to call him. He talked to me for over an hour about a brain balancing program and referred me to a book by Robert Melillo called “Disconnected Kids” (I found it on both Amazon.com and eBay, I would imagine most book stores carry it???). The book shows you how to diagnose and self treat, but I highly recommend finding someone in your area to also work with.
Essentially, their philosophy is that a person’s brain is divided into hemispheres (we’ve all heard of “right brain” and “left brain” activities). You use certain parts of the brain to perform certain functions/tasks. One part of the brain can become highly stimulated, while the other half may be under stimulated. When this occurs, the brain becomes (for lack of a better term) “out of balance” and the synapses between the sides of the brain becomes increasingly difficult.
I took my daughter to an appointment to see the doctor. He spent over 2 hours with us running a series of over 100 tests (from balance to eye tracking, etc.)
By performing the tests, he was able to determine that my daughter’s left brain was highly active/stimulated (she has tested in the top 2% in the nation academically – but almost exhibited signs of ADD or ADHD), so this made perfect sense.
Because her “left” brain was so high functioning/active, it had become increasingly difficult for it to communicate with the “right” side of her brain. The neurological activity would become so overwhelming and it would “escape” or “release” in a form of one of her tics and/or the eyelash pulling.
He then set us on a program to start exercising her “right” brain with physical, mental, sensory exercises. He did not expect to see results before 6 weeks. Well…within DAYS the tics and eyelash pulling completely stopped (has not returned) and more amazingly she has (without any prompting) completely stopped biting her fingernails (a habit that she has had since she was a toddler). She used to bite her nails so far down that they would nearly bleed and the skin would puff up over the ends. She told me the reason that she pulled her eyelashes out, was because she could no longer find enough fingernail to bite. We now have to file her nails down every couple of days because they are entirely too long for a little girl (and they become snagged on everything). This in itself is incredible, but was not our primary concern, of course.
Her teacher has indicated that she is less “fidgety” and not as easily distracted. Her grades are improving. Her physical abilities are improving (not that she had any previous problems). However, as an example, she is a softball player and it has greatly improved her ability to catch, throw, etc. Her sleep has also improved.
He also said that she was Magnesium and Omega 3 deficient and suggested that we put her on a fish oil supplement. Apparently Omega 3′s are the “coating” for the electrical wiring in the brain for children. She was not getting enough, but now she is!!! I also have her on an excellent liquid multivitamin and a Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc supplement.
To see changes occur like this within weeks was amazing. Both my husband and I are next in line to have him work his “brain balancing” on us (I have insomnia and my husband has “restless legs”).
I truly believe that there is not a soul on this earth that would benefit from this therapy. I want to shout it from the roof tops.
Apparently Albert Einstein would have been diagnosed (as a child) with ADHD and/or dyslexia. He unknowingly was able to balance his own brain. When he was working on a mathematical problem (a left brain activity) and became stuck or frustrated, he would turn to his next passion (his music playing – which would stimulate his right brain). And, VOILA, you guessed it, when the right brain caught up to the left brain, he would solve his mathematical problems and became a self made genius (literally).
When I mentioned this to my regular pediatrician, he simply dismissed it. You would think he would want to know more about it to share with other parents, but unless he can write a prescription for Ritalin or something else, he didn’t seem to care to hear about it.
The doctor that helped us is absolutely brilliant and helping thousands of people yet people are never told about this option.
I do not know how many Doctors are trained in this, but more need to be. We are in Colorado, but I believe this doctor travels on a regular basis to Southern California, Minnesota, Wisconsin and perhaps Missouri (I forget????).
Feel free to email me and I can either connect you with him, or see if he is aware of someone in your area that provides this treatment.
I felt that I would be remiss if I did not share this and if it only helps ONE person, it is worth the time to do it.
God Bless all!
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My name's Penny, and I started OnTrich (a trichotillomania blog) to try and raise awareness about hair pulling, and also as a way to help me deal with my own pulling. I'm a 23 year old girl from the UK and I've been pulling for 13 years. Get in touch if you want to chat or need any help - I love meeting people here.
Thank you so much for taking the time to write this post, I really appreciate it and hope someone finds success in it. I will also try to look this up in the UK, and find out whether it’s even offered and if anyone has had success with doctors here.
I love the point about Albert Einstein. It’s a great thing to realise that the greatest thinkers struggle with these problems, but even more impressive to know he balanced them himself!
I had never even heard of this before, so thanks for introducing me to something new. If anyone else knows anything or needs more info, I hope they will leave a comment below
Thank you. I have stumbling over the same usless information for the last four years from the suggestion of playing with rubber bands to hypno therapy. Its wonderful to know that there is really something solid behind the condition that can be attacked. Congrats and thank you again!!
Thanks for your message. Yes, I was VERY discouraged initially. All my pediatrician wanted to discuss was psychotherapy (like looking at ink blots was going to help?), and meds (such as Ritalin – which has been shown to make it MUCH worse). I knew that drugging my child into oblivion was not going to be the solution. Against everyone else’s opinion, my gut instinct was that this was physiological, not psychological, and I was right. I will be forever thankful to this doctor and Dr. Melillo. I have no doubt that this treatment forever changed the life of my daughter in a positive way. I hope more people seek this out. I expect that it will be how everyone will be treated in the future – unfortunately not enough people know about it now. It makes it all the more tragic that so many people are suffering with this, when there appears to be such a simple solution.
Best wishes to you. Please let me know how it works for you!
Dear Rjsmama — I too have a young daughter with trich. In so many ways, she sounds like your daughter. We live in the Centennial/Englewood area and I would love to know the name of the specific doctor you saw. I looked at the acnb site, but there are several Colorado doctors listed. Would it be possible for you to send to me the name of the doctor you consulted? My personal email is christine.jones2@comcast.net. Thanks you so much. Chris
Thank you so much for posting this. I am 23 years old and have had Trich for over 10 years now (began in the fifth grade). I have been through years of therapy, tried various techniques and have been on several anti-depressants over the years. NOTHING has worked. At this point all I can do is hope that one day I’ll at least be able to manage this disorder even though it will never go away. However, after reading your article, my sense of hope that I might one day not have to deal with this again was restored.
I look forward to buying the book (it’s a little late otherwise I’d run out to the bookstore and buy this very moment!). I am curious though if there are any doctors that are specialized in my area (Virginia). I will continue to research online but if you know of anything off the top of your head that’s closer to me on the East coast I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks again for opening up the doors again
I followed up with the doctor that helped us. He said that you can check with http://www.Acnb.org
Although this is an american organization, he indicated that they will be able to provide you with name of doctors WORLDWIDE that are trained in assisting with this. I hope this is helpful – because I know at least a few of you are located in the United Kingdom. If for any reason – you cannot locate someone, please let me know and I will check with my doctor and see if he has any other suggestions.
God Bless all! : )
Leah I hope you find success in this method! If you do, I would love you to leave another comment
Thanks so much rjsmama for taking time to be so helpful! And yes I am based in the UK so that information is very interesting. I wonder if it would come under our free healthcare or whether we would have to pay?
I found this website to download ‘brain balancing music’ based on the program in this post http://www.i-waveonline.com/index1.htm I would like to try and get my hands on that book first though. They do sell it on Amazon.co.uk. Hopefully its tactics will help me even though I’m using it for myself and not a child.
Thanks again rjsmama!
~Penny x
I am so glad to find this site.Maybe the vitamins will help me also. I had this problem in college and now am dealing with it again. Just got out of the hospital with what they thought was a heart attack then my vision went, had it corrected with surgery. A lot of stress and my husband is no solution but a stress itself. I pulled my hair out then and now it’s happening again. I tried to tell myself not to do it but with no avail. I need to get back to my happy days. The right and left brain makes sence. Thanks so much. Lorrie
Lorrie, thank you for leaving your message. I’m so sorry to hear you’re going through all of this. The best thing for you to know is that you aren’t crazy for pulling your hair. I think talking about it (even just on internet forums) can really help. It might not stop you pulling, but it will hopefully help you to feel more relaxed. It certainly did for me anyway, over time. Plus if you can find out about this treatment you can see if it helps you. Good luck! And feel free to email or reply if you just need anyone to talk to
Thankyou for the post. I hadn’t considered that trich could be caused by the two sides of our brains not being able to communicate with eachother, but it makes sense. I’m definitely going to look into ‘balancing the brain out’, and if any daily activities could help.
I’m 18 now, and have been suffering with trich since i was 12/13, and any help is appreciated. Also live in the UK, so any info on UK resources would be great. Thanks again.
I had never known about this either. I will let you know if I find anything, but my problem is paying for it. By the way, it’s really nice to hear from a trichster guy
OK thanks. I know, but if there was a book or some internet guidance so we could do it ourselves, it would be a lot easier. Paying for it just puts me off.
And it’s ok, glad i found this blog, good to hear something from someone real and not all formal and cold. Wonder if there are any other guys reading this blog? hmm
Btw i was wondering, if someone stops pulling, don’t they feel like something’s missing. Like i just thought what if i stop pulling, will i miss it? Will i still feel the need to pull just to feel that relieved feeling i get.
wow a lot of ‘feels’ in that sentence
Sorry, I forgot to reply to this comment before. I kind of think many people would find something missing, but there must come a stage when you get past that. As the real struggle is getting over that ‘urge’ and I do believe some people have. If the urge isn’t there – I would imagine it doesn’t feel wrong to not pull??
Im 19 now and started when i was in fifth grade also no cure for it here, but i have started to grow out of pulling, my hair is almost back to mormal and I didnt have to go through any type of tests or anything. just straight up but it in my mind that this has gone too far and im ready to quit. and that has been working just fine. but this post is a very helpful post and is appreciated.
Shawn I’m really glad to hear that your pulling is getting better. In many ways I grew out of it a lot, but it is something that I always feel will be with me. I think everyone is different, and it’s great you were so strong against your trich.
this sounds like something possible for my very long, and serious case of trich since childhood. i was off the charts verbally, but always had problems spatially/mathematically. after a fall, i lost some of my verbal abilities and increased the otherside of my thinking, as well as had my moods regulated. i joke that i’m not as smart, but i’m more balanced and nicer. also, now that i think about it, i’ve had some of the longer episodes without pulling and actually REALLY regrowing hair since then, too. as i said, i have a pretty serious case, but this is quite something.
bless you for posting this, and don’t give up on your little one. as my shrink explained it years ago, i sort of hard wired my brain for pulling as a coping mechanism and for every year it has made it more difficult to rewire. i want to positively note that anytime i’ve had truly engaging activities i enjoyed, it diminishes significantly. perhaps it is the balancing? again, thank you and good luck to all who have this, or love ones who do.
Thank you so much for sharing your story, it’s very interesting and also hopeful to read. There seems to be so much in the idea of this ‘balancing’ and I am hoping to buy the book and read more once I have the money.
Hey there,
Where is the doctor you mentioned that also works in Wisconsin?
For anyone searching for doctors trained in this, you can run a search for your area/state at; http://www.Acnb.org
Not sure if there is a similar site for international?
Just a recent update; my daughter is still doing great and has had no further incidents or issues with trich. I did catch it early with her. I would imagine that it might be a little more challenging to those that have had it for years, but I would think (?) that even if it were not completely eliminated, that it could be greatly reduced? I would hope that most doctors would probably discuss any questions or concerns with you – prior to an actual appointment. My daughter’s doctor talked to me for over an hour on the phone prior to even making her an appointment. I’ve been very fortunate! I wish everyone only the best!
I am so glad to hear your daughter is doing well
Thanks so much for helping out so many people here.
Hi rjsmama.
i am also located in Colorado. I live in Denver. I am 28 and have been pulling since I was about 12. I would love to get the information regarding the doctor that you saw.
Thank you!!!
Hi rjsmama
I just read your first post and am excited to hear your daughter is doing so well. My situation is similar. My dauther is 9 and has been pulling leg hairs for 6 months or so (she also likes to try and pull my leg hairs out). I didn’t think much of it until I noticed a bald spot in her scalp yesterday. She must have just started the scalp thing, since I still do her hair for school. My daughter also had a “throat clearing” tic for the past couple of years that kinda comes and goes.
I was wondering if you could tell me the name of the doctor you used (and where he is located) that spent so much time with you and tested her deficiencies. I will do anything the get help for my daughter and am glad I have noticed this in the beginning stages.
Also you said that she are giving her supplemets of Omega 3, Multi vitamin, calcium, magnesium and zinc. Could you please tell me the brand you use as well as the docs recommended dosages. We all know that not all vitamins/supplements are the same. I don’t want to waste our time a crummy quality!!
I am not big on treating things like this with meds and will at all costs try to go the natural route. I appreciate your post and am excited about your story and outcome!! I appreciate all the help you can give me and my precious daughter.
Oh wow. I have trich and just recently (within the past months) made the connection about right/left brain imbalances. I’m a very analytical/thinking person and notice when I pull that when I begin to pull, any though in my head at that time repeats endlessly until I stop.
I also noticed that when I work on music or design, I don’t pull at all.
Nice.
My daughter who is 12 has been pulling her hair out for over two years and has behavorial issues that no one seems to be able to help. Doctors have tried her on various medications and they all make her worse. I need help as things are really bad. Please put me in touch with someone that can help us or at least take a look at my dauthter. We live in Pittsburgh, PA but will travel if necessary Thank you. Nancy I am having her tested for PANDAS, but really do not think that is the answer.
Hey! I found an answer to help with trichotillomania!!! I’m posting this everywhere I get the chance, cause noone had an answer for me when I was the one that needed one!! Anyone curious can email me…the secret is in BANDAIDS. Yeah, u heard me right…bandaids. No meds, no hypnosis, no throwing ur money away at some money-gobbling company. Buy bandaids (the flexible fabric ones were the only ones that helped me, personally)!!!! I’m hoping to help everyone that I can with it since I had SUCH a hard time finding help, and I was starting to get a bald spot which was soooo embarressing. If u want to know more about this idea (which I figured out myself at random), email me! chelled222@gmail.com
Hi rjsmama
I just read your first post and am excited to hear your daughter is doing so well. My situation is similar. My dauther is 9 and has been pulling leg hairs for 6 months or so (she also likes to try and pull my leg hairs out). I didn’t think much of it until I noticed a bald spot in her scalp yesterday. She must have just started the scalp thing, since I still do her hair for school. My daughter also had a “throat clearing” tic for the past couple of years that kinda comes and goes.
I was wondering if you could tell me the name of the doctor you used (and where he is located) that spent so much time with you and tested her deficiencies. I will do anything the get help for my daughter and am glad I have noticed this in the beginning stages.
Also you said that she are giving her supplemets of Omega 3, Multi vitamin, calcium, magnesium and zinc. Could you please tell me the brand you use as well as the docs recommended dosages. We all know that not all vitamins/supplements are the same. I don’t want to waste our time a crummy quality!!
I am not big on treating things like this with meds and will at all costs try to go the natural route. I appreciate your post and am excited about your story and outcome!! I appreciate all the help you can give me and my precious daughter.
I felt like I was reading my 8 year old daughter’s story when I read your post. Could you please email me the name of this doctor, I am very interested.
Thank you
hey, i was just wondering what the name and number of this doctor is as i also have trichotillomania and really want a way to stop. thanks heaps
Hello, can you let me know how to contact this doctor? My daughter has been pulling her hair, nail biting, scratching?? Alot of behavior that is making me this she may have trichotillomania or some sort of anxiety disorder. Email me please, shucete@yahoo.com
Please send me the information about the doctor. My son has been pulling his eyelashes out for almost 2 years. Your story sounds so familiar. Thank you for taking the time to post it.
Hi there, I have TTM and have been looking for a cure for years. I’ve gone to my naturopath doctor and told him about it and he was no help at all.
I’m currently working in Hong Kong, so do you (or your doctor) know of any doctors that can help with my TTM in the area? My parents are located in Toronto and I visit them often, so if you know a doctor located in Toronto that would be helpful too.
Also, are these doctors expensive? I have a lot of other medical symptoms and spend a lot of money on them already, I’m not sure if I can afford another long-term expensive doctor, but I am determined to get rid of my TTM! Thanks!
Hi all,
Just wanted to add the website to http://www.Acnb.org
I have had several requests for it lately – it appears to get lost in the posts. : )
You can click on it and it will help you to find a doctor in your area. However, I noticed that this appears to be for the United States. But, I am guessing that you can contact someone through the ACNB and they may also have a list of international doctors.
Most doctors and pediatricians will NOT have heard about it, as they are not trained in this type of neurology (and in my opinion – are taught to write prescriptions for meds instead). Just to reiterate, my pediatrician looked at me with a blank stare. I think it was all he could do not to roll his eyes. Well, I did get results – without his prescription pad – and it felt really nice to tell him so.
The brain balance programs, however, are gaining ground. We have just recently had a “Brain Balance Center” open their doors not too far from our home, and information about the success of brain balancing was just on the front page of our newspaper “The Denver Post” a couple of days ago. Brain balancing helps most any type of brain disorder, from ADD/ADHD to autism, etc.
Please do not be discouraged by prices being quoted. It does not have to be expensive! A friend of mine went to a seminar where Dr. Melillo spoke – and he told the crowd that the expected cost could be about $6,000. Most people got up and left. I wish I had been there to tell people that we received immediate results with one $100 appointment. I have taken my daughter to several appointments now, but still have less than $500 invested – a far cry from the amount quoted. If you find a good doctor, they will teach you the exercises to do at home and then you can return to them for “tune-ups” or just to make sure that you are still on the right track (as the brain continues to change – you may need to change the routine). Bear in mind, I am not a doctor, but I can tell you that we got the results that we wanted at a minimal cost. There are a lot of doctors listed on the ACNB, if you don’t like the first one you find – keep looking. It’s no different than dentists or primary physicians – find one you like and TRUST.
Again, I hope this helps someone. If anyone else is obtaining results from this type of treatment – please let us know.
Best wishes to all!
Just to let everyone know, my daughter is still doing great and has not any further episodes of the trich.
Thank you Rjsmama! I will try and add this info in a more prominent place.
I was wondering if you can give me more info on this doctor. I’ve been suffering with TTM for years. My hands are now completely destroyed from the pulling. Thank you.
Wow I’m so glad to hear about this doctor, and that he is in Colorado, because that’s where I live!! I would really appreciate it if I could get his information from you. I’m 18 and have been pulling since I was 12. and this sounds like a very promising program and I’d like to give it a try. Thanks so Much!!
-Emily
Emily – I really hope it helps you!
Thanks so much for all the advice, my daughter started pulling when she was 1 and next month she will be turning 6. She is still pulling. We have tried everything but pills, I dont want my daughter to go onto any form of harsh medication but I am more than willing to try vitamins, omega, calcium and natural products.
I live is South Africa, needless to say, WHERE do I find a docter that can assess my daughters brain balance?
Anita – I am really sorry but I have no idea. If you find out please let us know. Don’t give up
My 10 year old daughter has been pulling since February and has pulled every hair on her head. We live in Colorado also. I would love to know what doctor you used. I’m ready to try anything to help her. Thank you so much!
Jaci – Try taking a look at http://www.acnb.org/ (I am not the author of this post but know this is a useful website for you)
Thank you for sharing this information. I have been pulling for just under 11 years and have had no success in over coming it. I would love to speak to this Dr and maybe get some help. I am willing to try anything.