BFRB: Trich/Derm
Anxiety, Depression and BFRB
Your Body Focused Repetitive Behavior seems more than a habit. It has become a problem for you. So far you have been successful at concealing the bald spots from pulling your hair or the sores from compulsive skin picking, but it is getting more and more difficult to hide. You have resolved to stop so many times and failed. How do you start to stop a BFRB once and for all?
First step– get a journal and record exactly what you do when you pull your hair or pick your skin and when you do it. Everything about your BFRB matters as you write. Your shame- based habit/behavioral addiction will attempt to convince you that this escapist behavior or that negative thought doesn’t have anything to do with your BFRB.
Trichotillomania or Dermatillia will tell you not to be so silly as to be bothered by “that thought” whatever “that thought” might be. It might be a negative thought that leads to “fortune telling.” Fortune Telling is one of many cognitive distortions that can lead to hours of anxiety and escapist hair pulling or skin picking. Resolve to tell that voice to keep still and continue writing understanding that everything that matters to YOU matters. It is important For you to start thinking that you matter.
Once you decide to change, understand that Dr. Mary Travis will be happy to help you. Change means reaching out and our ZOOM! Coaching is a perfect forum for change. Break through the isolation and you are on your way!
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Body-Focused Repetitive Beahaviors
Most BFRB sufferers have taken tests to rate the severity of their hair-pulling or skin-picking. Some experts believe that BFRBs are behavioral addictions. The danger in an addiction model takes is that it is a slippery slope that can lead a hair-puller or skin-picker to a very ...
Recovery is Possible
“Thank you for being a wonderful partner and support on my recovery from trichotillomania journey. Your patience and optimism helped me when things seemed the darkest.” AC
“It wasn’t easy but you stuck with me through setbacks and lapses. We made it to the other side of that bridge you always talked about.” BD
FAQ
We can’t point to one specific cause. Troublesome emotions can increase the tendencies to pull or pick. Usually, behaviors occur during periods of sedentary or contemplative activity like watching videos or doing homework. Some people are responding to a buildup of tension, which is relieved by pulling hair. Some pull or pick without being fully aware of doing it. Some people pay close attention as they try to “even up” or change a hairline.
Sometimes a stressful situation comes before the first episode of the behavior. Many times the behavior worsens during high-stress times like final exams, work deadlines, or preparing tax returns. It isn’t that simple, but learning to handle stressful situations and uncomfortable emotions is part of the treatment.
Most people go to great lengths to stop and to hide the behavior from others. Many are successful in varying degrees. Most people return to the behavior even after long periods of abstinence. Often they blame themselves for not being able to control the behavior and this brings on the shame, anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem that complicate treatment.
Medication is not usually an effective treatment. Some form of habit reversal and cognitive behavioral therapy are the most effective approaches. Recent advances in behavior therapy include acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).