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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffThese suggestions may help make your appointment easier:
- Write down all the symptoms you're experiencing, even if they seem unrelated to hair pulling. Trichotillomania can cause both physical and psychological distress. Note which factors trigger your hair pulling, how you've tried to deal with the problem, and factors that make it better or worse.
- Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes and whether hair pulling runs in your family.
- Make a list of all medications, as well as any vitamins or supplements, that you're taking. Include on your list the specific name and dose of these medications, and how long you've been taking them.
Create a list of questions ahead of your appointment so that you can make the most of your time with your doctor. For example:
- What might have caused me to develop this disorder?
- How do you diagnose this condition?
- Is this something that will go away on its own? Is there anything I can do on my own to improve my symptoms?
- What treatments do you recommend for this disorder?
- What if I can't afford therapy?
- If I decide to take medications, how long will it take for my symptoms to improve?
- What are the side effects of the medications you're recommending?
- How much improvement can I realistically expect if I follow your treatment plan?
- What if nothing helps?
In addition to your prepared questions, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment if you don't understand something your doctor says.
- Woods DW, et al. Trichotillomania: An ACT-enhanced Behavior Therapy Approach Therapist Guide. New York, N.Y.: Oxford University Press; 2008.
- Fact sheet: Trichotillomania. Mental Health America. http://www.nmha.org/index.cfm?objectid=C7DF9926-1372-4D20-C88C1DDD5A71D709. Accessed Dec. 1, 2008.
- About trichotillomania. Trichotillomania Learning Center. http://www.trich.org/about_trich. Accessed Dec. 1, 2008.
- Trichotillomania in childhood: Case series and review. Pediatrics. 2004;113:3494.
- Trichotillomania. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed Dec. 1, 2008.
- Alternative treatments. Trichotillomania Learning Center. http://www.trich.org/treatment_resources/Alternative.asp. Accessed Dec. 1, 2008.
- Chamberlain SR, et al. Lifting the veil on trichotillomania. American Journal of Psychiatry. 2007;164:568.
- Walsh KH, et al. Trichotillomania. Presentation, etiology, diagnosis and therapy. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology. 2001;2:327.
- Zuchner S et al. SLITRK1 mutations in Tricholtillomania. Molecular Psychiatry. 2006;11:888. http://www.nature.com/mp/journal/v11/n10/full/4001865a.html. Accessed Dec. 29, 2008.
- Woods DW et al. Understanding and Treating Trichotillomania: What We Know and What We Don't Know. Psychiatric Clinics of North America. 2006;29:487. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/article/body/114970872-3/jorg=journal&source=MI&sp=16170821&sid=786898514/N/532552/1.html?issn=0193-953X. Accessed Dec. 29, 2008.
