What medicine can I take to stop pulling hair?

Author: Mrs. Mia Christiansen  |  Last update: Friday, April 4, 2025

Although no medicines are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration specifically for the treatment of trichotillomania, some medicines may help control certain symptoms, such as anxiety and depression. For example, your health care provider may recommend an antidepressant, such as clomipramine (Anafranil).

How do I stop compulsive hair pulling?

Tips for coping with trichotillomania
  • Work out your triggers Keep track of when you're pulling hair, what you're doing at that specific moment, and how you feel.
  • Replace hair pulling with another action
  • Be patient with yourself
  • Notice, interrupt and choose what next

What supplement stops hair pulling?

N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is a supplement form of cysteine. To be honest, I don't much about it but I have seen many studies showing the effectiveness of taking it for hair pulling.

What medication is used to stop picking?

Skin picking disorder is usually treated with a combination of medicine and cognitive behavioral therapy. The most helpful medicines include: Antidepressants, usually with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

What triggers hair pulling disorder?

Trichotillomania can be related to emotions, including: Negative feelings. Pulling out hair may be a way of dealing with negative or uncomfortable feelings, such as stress, anxiety, tension, boredom, loneliness, extreme tiredness or frustration. Positive feelings.

Trichotillomania - My hair pulling OCD - 10 tips to stop pulling

What is the best medication for trichotillomania?

For example, your health care provider may recommend an antidepressant, such as clomipramine (Anafranil). Research suggests that N-acetylcysteine (as-uh-tul-SIS-tee-een), an amino acid that affects mood, also may help. Another option that research suggests may have benefit is olanzapine (Zyprexa).

What deficiency causes hair pulling?

Trichotillomania Triggered by Vitamin D Deficiency and Resolving Dramatically With Vitamin D Therapy.

What vitamins help stop picking?

N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is an amino acid derivative generally known for its use after an acetaminophen overdose and as a mucolytic [2]. There is growing evidence for its use as a treatment for psychiatric disorders related to impulse control, such as skin picking, trichotillomania, OCD, autism, and substance abuse.

Is dermatillomania a mental illness?

Skin picking disorder (also known as excoriation disorder or dermatillomania) is a common mental health disorder currently classified as an obsessive-compulsive and related condition. Despite being first described in the 1800s, very little is known about its phenomenology and clinical presentation.

How to stop skin picking and hair pulling?

The most common type of talking therapy offered for skin picking disorder is cognitive behavioural therapy, and may include a technique called habit reversal training. Habit reversal training works by helping you: recognise and be more aware of your skin picking and what's triggering it.

What vitamins help unwanted hair?

Dietary supplementation with magnesium and zinc are also thought to help prevent growth of excess facial hair. In one of the clinical studies for patients with hirsutism, participants were given a combination of magnesium, zinc, calcium, and vitamin D supplements over the course of 12 weeks.

Why does my hair pull easily?

Using too much shampoo, brushing or combing your hair when it's wet, rubbing hair dry with a towel, or brushing too hard or too often can all strain your strands and make them break. Two big causes of breakage include braids that are too tight and weaves that weigh down the hair.

Can magnesium help with skin picking?

Magnesium is believed to play a role in nervous system stabilization and hence relieves nervous-induced picking. It is important to consult a physician before taking any supplements for skin picking.

What vitamins help trichotillomania?

In addition to reducing the urge to pull, it is believed vitamin D supplementation significantly improved hair regrowth, which is often not seen after treatment with antidepressants or other medications alone. Studies have identified the use of vitamin D3 analogs to stimulate hair regrowth.

Can you stop trichotillomania on your own?

People with this condition often feel ashamed, embarrassed or guilty because of it. If you have TTM or know someone who does, it's important to remember this is a medical condition and that hair pulling is very difficult to control or stop on your own.

Why is trichotillomania so hard to stop?

Each time the person pulls hair, the brain releases a small burst of reward hormone. The person feels 'rewarded' with a brief sense of relief. This makes the urge harder to resist. Doing the habit makes it stronger.

What medication is used for dermatillomania?

How is dermatillomania treated, and is there a cure?
  • Antidepressants. The most likely medications for this are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
  • Anticonvulsants. Lamotrigine is a medication that helps with uncontrollable muscle movements. ...
  • Antipsychotics. ...
  • Nutraceuticals.

What can I replace skin picking with?

You can also try distracting your hands with any number of items including silly putty, stress balls, fidgets, and tangle toys. Once you have found an item that works for you, make sure to have one everywhere you spend time such as work, home, and your bag, so you are fully covered.

What is the best combination of treatments for obsessive-compulsive disorder?

The two main treatments for OCD are psychotherapy and medicines. Psychotherapy also is known as talk therapy. Often, a mix of both treatments is most effective.

What is the cure for dermatillomania?

Research suggests that the most effective treatment for skin picking is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), including the specific types of CBT called Habit Reversal Training (HRT) and the Comprehensive Behavioral Model (ComB).

What is the one supplement everyone should take?

Top 7 Supplements Everyone Should Consider Taking
  • For sleep: magnesium. ...
  • For energy and mood: B vitamins. ...
  • For inflammation: curcumin. ...
  • For muscular health: protein powder. ...
  • For immunity: ascorbic acid. ...
  • For gut health: L-glutamine. ...
  • For everyday nutrition: multivitamin.

Can I take vitamin D and B12 together?

Yes, you can take vitamin D and B12 together safely, as they serve different essential functions in your body. Combining these vitamins can support energy production, bone health, and overall well-being, making them a powerful addition to your daily health routine.

How do I stop constant hair pulling?

Things you can try yourself
  1. squeeze a stress ball or something similar.
  2. form a ball with your fist and tighten the muscles in that arm.
  3. use a fidget toy.
  4. wear a bandana or a tight-fitting hat, such as a beanie.
  5. take a soothing bath to ease any stress or anxiety.
  6. practise deep breathing until the urge to pull goes away.

What is the new medication for trichotillomania?

Dermatology Times previously reported research by Grant et al has shown that the glutamate modulatormemantine (Namenda), a drug used to treat Alzheimer's disease, is associated with significant improvements in symptoms of adults with trichotillomania or excoriation disorder (skin-picking or dermatillomania).

What not to say to someone with trichotillomania?

Don't say, “You need to learn to relax, and maybe the pulling will stop automatically.” Usually, this isn't true. My clients with trich have hairpulling on their mind constantly (which can be mentally exhausting) and have uncontrollable urges to pull.

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