Trichotillomania, also known as hair-pulling disorder, is a complex mental health condition that affects individuals across diverse backgrounds, causing significant distress and impacting daily life.
At The Summit Wellness Group, a premier mental health and substance abuse treatment facility in Atlanta, Georgia, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive, compassionate, and individualized care for those struggling with trichotillomania.
Our approach combines evidence-based therapies, holistic modalities, and a supportive environment to empower clients toward lasting recovery. As the leading trichotillomania treatment center in Atlanta, Georgia, we aim to provide services that promote long-standing recovery and a healing community for every client seeking help.
Prevalence of Trichotillomania
Trichotillomania currently affects approximately 1-4% of the population, with onset typically occurring in early adolescence or young adulthood. It is more common in females than males and can persist as a chronic condition if left untreated.
The disorder often co-occurs with other mental health conditions, such as anxiety disorders, eating disorders, depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), making comprehensive treatment essential.
Despite its prevalence, many individuals feel isolated or ashamed, unaware that trichotillomania is a treatable condition. At The Summit Wellness Group, we aim to reduce stigma and provide hope through specialized care.
Signs and Symptoms
The hallmark of trichotillomania is the recurrent, irresistible urge to pull out hair from the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, or other body areas, leading to noticeable hair loss.
Common signs include:
- Consistent urges to pull hair, often using fingers, tweezers, or other tools.
- Temporary relief or pleasure after hair-pulling, followed by guilt or distress.
- Bald patches or thinning hair in affected areas.
- Attempts to hide hair loss with makeup, hats, or wigs.
- Co-occurring behaviors like skin picking or nail biting.
Individuals may pull hair consciously or unconsciously, often during sedentary activities or in response to stress. The emotional toll—shame, embarrassment, and low self-esteem—can significantly impact daily life, underscoring the need for professional intervention.
Causes of Trichotillomania
The exact cause of trichotillomania is not yet fully understood, but it likely results from genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. Research suggests a genetic predisposition, as the disorder can run in families. Environmental triggers, such as stress, trauma, or boredom, may exacerbate symptoms.
Psychologically, trichotillomania shares some similarities with impulse control disorders and OCD, with hair-pulling serving as a coping mechanism for negative emotions like anxiety or frustration. At The Summit Wellness Group, we conduct thorough assessments to understand clients’ unique triggers and tailor their mental health treatment accordingly.
Our Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
Our PHP is designed for individuals who require intensive support but do not need 24/7 inpatient or residential treatment. This program involves 30 hours of weekly therapy, typically Monday through Friday, with clients returning home each evening. This treatment program may include some combination of:
- Individual Therapy: One-on-one sessions to explore triggers, develop coping strategies, and address co-occurring conditions. Our clinicians often utilize CBT or DBT to address negative thought patterns in clients.
- Group Therapy Sessions: Peer support groups allow people to share experiences, reduce isolation, and practice new skills in a safe environment.
- Skill-Building Activities: Structured exercises to enhance emotional regulation and impulse control.
Our PHP is ideal for men and women who may be transitioning from residential care or who need a structured program to manage severe symptoms. Our multidisciplinary team, including therapists and psychiatrists, ensures personalized care that addresses the root causes of trichotillomania.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
For clients seeking flexibility while maintaining robust support, our IOP offers several hours of treatment per week, with morning, afternoon, or evening sessions to accommodate busy schedules. The IOP is perfect for those stepping down from PHP or managing milder symptoms while balancing work or family responsibilities. Key components include:
- Flexible Scheduling: Sessions are held 3-5 days per week and last a few hours each, allowing clients to integrate treatment into daily life.
- Therapeutic Support: A mix of individual, group, and family therapy to reinforce skills and foster long-term recovery.
- Holistic Integration: Access to yoga, meditation, and other modalities to complement traditional therapies.
Our IOP empowers clients to apply coping strategies in real-world settings, promoting independence and sustained progress.
Evidence-Based Therapies
At The Summit Wellness Group, we prioritize therapies backed by research to treat trichotillomania effectively. Our evidence-based treatment options include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps clients identify and modify negative thought patterns and behaviors that drive hair-pulling.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy focuses on mindfulness, emotion regulation, and distress tolerance to manage intense emotions.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy encourages clients to accept difficult emotions and commit to value-driven actions, reducing the urge to pull.
- Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is a technique that involves gradually and systematically confronting feared thoughts that trigger hair pulling, then refraining from engaging in those behaviors (hair pulling) that reduces the anxiety.
- Habit Reversal Therapy (HRT) is a cornerstone of trichotillomania treatment that teaches awareness of pulling urges, competing responses, and stimulus control to reduce triggers.
- Medication Management is used when some clients may need different medications to minimize symptoms or co-occurring disorders, like anxiety or depression, so our providers work with them to manage medications and ensure that they are remaining effective.
Our experienced, licensed clinicians deliver these therapies, ensuring tailored interventions that address symptoms and underlying issues.
Holistic Therapies
At The Summit Wellness Group, we believe in treating the entire client—body, mind, and spirit. Our holistic therapies complement evidence-based treatments, promoting relaxation and self-awareness. Clients can use these to replace hair-pulling behaviors. Some options include:
- Yoga and Meditation: Guided sessions to reduce stress and enhance mindfulness, helping clients manage urges.
- Massage Therapy: Relieves physical tension and promotes emotional well-being.
- Acupuncture: Supports stress reduction and emotional balance.
- Adventure Therapy: Outdoor activities help build confidence and resilience.
- Nutritional Counseling: Personalized plans to support overall health, as nutrition can deeply impact mental wellness.
These on-site services create a nurturing environment that fosters healing and empowerment.
Our Amenities and Newly Renovated Facility
Our Midtown Atlanta facility, located at 996 Huff Rd NW, is a luxurious, Joint Commission-accredited haven designed for healing. Recently renovated, it combines modern elegance with a warm, friendly atmosphere. Key amenities include:
- Comfortable Therapy Spaces: Private, calming rooms for individual and group therapy sessions, fostering safety.
- Holistic Treatment Areas: Dedicated spaces for yoga, meditation, and massage therapy, enhancing total relaxation.
- Inviting Common Areas: Thoughtfully designed lounges to encourage connection and reflection.
- State-of-the-Art Technology: On-site brain mapping and biofeedback therapy to support treatment.
Our facility’s serene, non-institutional design—complete with natural light and soothing decor—creates an ideal setting for recovery. It is also conveniently located, just 2 miles from the Georgia Aquarium.
A Path to Recovery
Trichotillomania can feel overwhelming, but at The Summit Wellness Group, we offer hope through comprehensive, compassionate care. Our PHP and IOP provide structured yet flexible support, while our evidence-based and holistic therapies address the mental health disorders’ physical, emotional, and psychological dimensions.
In our newly renovated Atlanta facility, clients find a sanctuary where they are treated as family, not just clients. If you or a loved one is struggling with trichotillomania, give us a call today or visit our Midtown mental healthcare facility. Take the first step toward lasting behavioral health recovery today.
Give us a call to schedule your initial, comprehensive assessment today at 770-692-4351. Our team can’t wait to meet you.