I have a 12 year female who has been pulling out her hair (trichitellamania) for over 6 months.  I have already worked with her for 4 sessions and the results are only minor.  Mostly we work on core issues which are acceptance issues, popularity, being different than others, etc.  I have also given her "homework" to tap whenever she gets the urge the pull, but she doesn't tap between sessions. I also had her make a list of 50 things that bother her now or in the past with the instructions to tap on 1--2 issues a day.   Sometimes she does, and sometimes she doesn't.

 Does anyone have experience with tric for adolescents?  I would appreciate any advice whatsoever. 

 Thank you so much for any help you can offer.

gratefully yours,

Barbara

Hello Barbara,

I have worked with quite a few young girls with hair pulling issues.  My experience has been that most of them can, with some probing, tell you the first time they started this behavior.  Then we tap on the issues and other aspects that surround it.

Many report that they do it to "feel" something because they are numb inside.  This is similar to what "cutters" say.  Ultimately, it becomes a self calming (distraction) from other stresses.  We also tap for why they find a need to punish themselves.

Taking a page from Carol Look, ask what the upside is to the behavior and what is the downside to quitting.  This gives you a wealth of tappable issues. Some say that hair pulling is OCD, however, it feels more like a habit to me.  It feels better to them to break a habit then to have an incurable disorder that requires medication for life.  I usually see them 2 or 3 times initially with tapping homework in between.  Tap 4 times a day prophylactically and then before during or after an incident.

I put these ideas forth for your consideration.  Your instincts are good. Stay with them. 

The young ladies have all had 100% success.  They occaisionally have minor setbacks and come in periodicaaly for a "tune-up" around Prom time, exams or boy trouble.

Keep up the fine work! 

Hello Nurse Crilly,

 Thank you for your advice.  I will work on discovering the event(s) leading up to the first time she pulled.  I never thought of the aspect of self punishment.  Interesting.  I will check that out too.  For the prophylatic tapping (4 times a day), what do you usually have them tap on? 

I checked out your site.  I like your frankness.  (and your picture)

Be well

Barbara

Hello again, Barbara,

Prophylactic Tapping

While tapping the Karate Chop Point say the following 3 statements:

"Even though I pull my hair (eyelashes, body hair, eyebrows) when I am feeling anxious (angry, sad, bored), I completely accept and love myself."

"Even though..., I choose to feel calm and comfortable without the need to pull."

"Even though..., I release the need to pull."

Then I have them do 3 sequences in a row using the following Reminder Phrases:

1st "Pull when I feel anxious"  EB, SE, UE, UN, CH, CB, UA, CR (Crown of Head)

2nd "Choose calm and comfort" EB, SE, UE, UN, CH, CB, UA, CR 

3rd "Release the need to pull"  EB, SE, UE, UN, CH, CB, UA, CR

I have them modify this to fit an emergency when they find themselves pulling.  If they are not in a place where they can easily and comfortably tap, I have them rub the Thumb Point and think "calm and comfortable".

This combines 3 rounds in one and covers several aspects.  I ask them to do it when they first wake up, before they even get out of bed, at lunch time, dinner time and bed time.  Their compliance can be sporadic.  Then we look at secondary gains.  Issues of not deserving to have beautiful hair, not pretty enough, etc.

My style with teens is, basically, in your face and no nonsense -- in other words, I set very clear and firm boundries. This is all done with compassion and humor, of course.  It helps to build trust when they know where they stand.

I hope this clarifies some things for you.

Dear Nurse Crilly,

 Thank you again for sharing your experience.  I will be seeing my client tomorrow evening.  Can't wait to work with her.    Somehow I'm reminded of the time I was asked to work with a classroom of highschool students before matriculation exams.  I gave each one a private hour.  It took me the whole week to finish the group before we could work together.  What was interesting was that almost everyone spoke of great fears.  Today I asked a very wealthy client what was his greatest fear, and his answer was, "not having money".  I almost always use that question, but somehow I forgot about it with this young girl.  I'm sure that's where her anxiety and restlessness is coming from. 

 I'll let you know how things progress. 

greatfully yours,

Barbara

 Dear Barbara

 my duaghter pulled her hair, although she was much younger then.

but still, here is my insight for hairpullilng. they rather hurt themselves, than be angry with mother/father or other caretaker.

hope that helps

all the best

Christina