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Bee (Stl, Usa) on 10/09/2009

I have suffered from TTM for pretty much my whole life, and have struggled to get past the pattern of pulling and guilt and shame. Unfortunately, I have not found anyway to stop pulling; I pull my eyelashes and eyebrows until they are gone. I recently read that N-Acetylcysteine may help treat TTM and wonder if anyone has any experience with using this? I am considering trying it, looking up studies on pubmed as well. I would love to be able to have full eyebrows and eyelashes and not be embarrassed and ashamed. It's so hard to explain to people the compulsion to pull. Please if you know of anything that can help, please let me know. I would greatly appreciate it!
EC: From Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trichotillomania

"Trichotillomania (TTM, also known as "Trichotillosis"[1]), or "trich" as it is commonly known, is an impulse control disorder characterized by the repeated urge to pull out scalp hair, eyelashes, facial hair, nose hair, pubic hair, eyebrows or other body hair, sometimes resulting in noticeable bald patches.[2]:645 Trichotillomania is classified in the DSM-IV as an impulse control disorder, but there are still questions about how it should be classified. It may seem, at times, to resemble a habit, an addiction, a tic disorder or an obsessive-compulsive disorder. Trichotillomania often begins during the individual's teenage years. Depression or stress can trigger the trich. Due to social implications the disorder is often unreported and it is difficult to predict accurately prevalence of trichotillomania; 2.5 million in the U.S. may have TTM, with a 1% prevalence rate.[3]

The name derives from Greek: tricho- (hair), till(en) (to pull), and mania."

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Replied By Sandy (Indianapolis, Indiana, Usa) on 04/18/2011

I've suffered from trich since I was in my teens by pulling out my eyebrows and lashes when stressed out, sometimes not realizing what I was doing until the damage was already done. A few years ago I found Bach Flower Essences and tried the White Chestnut for when 'thoughts are buzzing in my head' and it has helped tremendously. You might want to check out the different flower essence descriptions to see which essence best fits your specific anxiety symptoms. When you find one you want to try, just put a few drops mixed in some water and sip or place a couple of drops under the tongue. I do this anytime I feel like I'm starting to get overstressed which is what triggers my pulling. Good luck!
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Replied By Ruth (Ontario, Ca) on 05/11/2015

I suffered from Trichotillomania from my teen years until close to menopause. Maybe there's a connection to hormonal changes. However, at that time I was also diagnosed with pyroluria. I found that taking the supplements for pyroluria made the trichotillomania disappear, so I have felt ever since then that trichotillomania is a side effect of pyroluria. Many of the supplements I take for pyroluria are the same as listed below for Trichotillomania.

Please check out "Safe Harbor" at alternativementalhealth.com Under their articles is a section by Dr. William Walsh who was the senior scientist at the "Pfeiffer Treatment Center." He now heads "Walsh Research Institute." He is also the author of "Nutrient Power, " so he's a great orthomolecular resource.

Under the section of his articles on OCD and Methylation (which are worth reading in and of themselves) is a blurb on Trichotillomania, "Trichotillomania has been associated with OCD and undermethylation. If you can confirm the presence of undermethylation, the patient should benefit from (1) aggressive doses of l-methionine, calcium, magnesium, along with augmenting nutrients zinc, B-6, Inositol, Vitamin A & C and (2) strict avoidance of folic acid, choline, DMAE, and copper supplements." Many of these supplements have been used to treat other forms of OCD also.

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Replied By Ruth (Ontario, Ca) on 05/11/2015

I suffered from Trichotillomania from my teen years until close to menopause. Maybe there's a connection to hormonal changes. However, at that time I was also diagnosed with pyroluria. I found that taking the supplements for pyroluria made the trichotillomania disappear, so I have felt ever since then that trichotillomania is a side effect of pyroluria. Many of the supplements I take for pyroluria are the same as listed below for Trichotillomania.

Please check out "Safe Harbor" at alternativementalhealth.com Under their articles is a section by Dr. William Walsh who was the senior scientist at the "Pfeiffer Treatment Center." He now heads "Walsh Research Institute." He is also the author of "Nutrient Power, " so he's a great orthomolecular resource.

Under the section of his articles on OCD and Methylation (which are worth reading in and of themselves) is a blurb on Trichotillomania, "Trichotillomania has been associated with OCD and undermethylation. If you can confirm the presence of undermethylation, the patient should benefit from (1) aggressive doses of l-methionine, calcium, magnesium, along with augmenting nutrients zinc, B-6, Inositol, Vitamin A & C and (2) strict avoidance of folic acid, choline, DMAE, and copper supplements." Many of these supplements have been used to treat other forms of OCD also.

REPLY