DSM-IV Information

Diagnostic criteria for 312.39 Trichotillomania 
(cautionary statement)  

A. Recurrent pulling out of one's hair resulting in noticeable hair loss. 
B. An increasing sense of tension immediately before pulling out the hair or when attempting to resist the behavior. 
C. Pleasure, gratification, or relief when pulling out the hair. 
D. The disturbance is not better accounted for by another mental disorder and is not due to a general medical condition (e.g., a dermatological condition). 
E. The disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
Reprinted with permission from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision.  Copyright 2000 American Psychiatric Association

May 20th Update

Good day, friends.  First and foremost, I'd like to make another apology.  I haven't been able to make a new update lately because I have been quite busy.  My mother-in-law died after a long battle against stomach cancer, I've fallen behind on sleep because of work, and I've been working on my application for the local community college.  I am indeed sorry to my many fans for not satisfying your reading aspirations. 

In the unfortunate world of my trichotillomania, I have still not pulled out ANY of my hairs.  I've had to change the bandages on my fingers a few times, but they are indeed working at a level of maximum effect.  Dr. Brown said I was his best patient and he invited me to his barbeque on Saturday.  It should be nice to find out where he lives and who his wife is.  For the first time in a long time, I feel like I'm finally winning the hard fight against this rampant trichotillomania. 

I think I'm going to ride my bike over to the gas station and get some Gatorade and a light snack.  I cashed my paycheck for being a janitor and I made over $300.  I feel the wealth sprawling out all over me. 

Did I mention my invention?  I am inventing and presenting a machine named Francine that will eat a green bean covered in sunscreen in front of the queen.  Also, did I tell you that will jump over the fence while watching the Sixth Sense starring Bruce Willis who's married to a woman named Phyllis that went to the store after fighting in the Persian Gulf War?

I have decided to become a part-time rapper!  :)

May 15th Update

Good evening, friends.  Today was a long day at work.  Some kid vomited all over some carpet and the head janitor made me clean it up.  I think I might quit my job...  $8.00 an hour is good pay for someone with my capabilities, but I am starting to think it might not be worth it to be made fun of every day.

Still haven't pulled any hair, so that's good...  Dr. Brown called me this morning before work because he said he has good news that he has to tell me in person.  I'm going to see him tomorrow.  It should be fun.

I'm shocked that none of my many fans wanted to get that mattress...  Maybe everyone was busy at that time of day.

I need help from one of my fans:  I dropped a pair of scissors behind my heavy stove.  My arms are too thick to reach and grab it.  If you have a child with slim arms, meet me at the public library at 4:00 p.m. tomorrow.  I will be eating a light snack.  We can go to my house and get the scissors.  I will pay you later but not now.



Tommy

May 14th Update

Good day, friends.  First and foremost, I must apologize for not making an update yesterday.  I do realize that I have a huge fanbase because of this blog and I need to make daily updates for the viewing pleasure of my fans, but you all must understand that I'm a busy man with my job and disorder and all.

I still haven't pulled any hair in five days.  This is great news.  I've noticed that the bandages on my fingers have made me stop trying to pull out my hair in the first place.  So maybe I could take them off soon  because the urge to pull my hair is going away.  They're also getting kind of dirty; I might have to have Dr. Brown reapply some more bandages.

McDonald's was awesome.  I can't wait until I get to go again.

Also, for any of my fans living in the NYC area:  I have a free queen sized mattress if you want it.  It is great except for a little bit of cat hair.  Meet me in front of Starbucks on 71st street at 4:00 p.m. so we can go to my mom's house and retrieve it.  Bring some money for some Gatorades or Snapples and some Fritos.

May 12th Update

Good afternoon, friends.  Today, Dr. Brown applied some bandages on my fingers that prevent me from pulling my hair out.  They are surprisingly comfortable and do not prevent me from doing any regular tasks. 

 

My wife and I are going to McDonald's for dinner tonight.  I have never been this excited for a meal in a long time.  I am going to get a Royale with Cheese and a soder pop.

Tommy

May 11th Update

Good day, friends.  As I'm sure you know, I visited Dr. Brown today.  He went through a list of treatment options and we eventually came to the solution for him to apply bandages to my fingers that prevent the pulling.  He says if I keep them on for a long time I could see a serious jump in hair growth within a couple weeks.  I am excited to have an image of normality.

I'm going in tomorrow to get some bandages on my fingers.  Hopefully this will help!! :)


Tommy

May 10th Update

Good evening, friends.  Today has been a great day.  My wife came home just in time to make me some bluebery pancakes for breakfast and the kids at school were all much more respectful than usual.  Dr. Brown called me when  I got home from work.  I am going in to see him tomorrow morning.  It will be fun indeed. 

I haven't pulled any hair since yesterday morning. 



Tommy

May 9th Update

Good morning, friends.  I hate waking up to terrible weather.  It really puts me in a bad mood.

I couldn't help but pull some hair while looking in the bathroom mirror this morning.  That feeling came back.  That satisfying feeling that I love ever so dearly.  It is truly grand.  My wife had to come in and stop me from doing it.  We got into a fight and I smacked her across the face.  She took off, probably at a friends house.

I really think that one of these days our marriage is just going to end.  I can see her leaving me because of my disorder.  I really hope that our love for each other can power through in these times is despair.

I have to work today at noon.  Hopefully the kids' remarks about me aren't too plentiful.  They can really put me down and make me have a bad day..

I might make an update later tonight when I get home from work.  Who knows?



Tommy

May 8th Update

Hello again, friends.  I'm sorry that I couldn't keep up with making daily updates.  I've just been busy with work and it's been quite a long weekend.  I forgot to mention this earlier, but I work as a custodian at the local elementary school.

Trichotillomania in a school environment is terrible.  Not only do all the children laugh at me because I'm a janitor, they laugh at me for my odd hair.  This makes me sad.

I'll be back making more updates.  Starting tomorrow...



Tommy

May 5th Update

Hello, friends.  Today I visited Dr. Brown and we went over treatment options for my disorder.  He told me it most likely stems from anxiety and various worries that have come about in my life.  He said that if I could get these problems fixed my tenure with trichotillomania would likely end.  So that's great news.

Dr. Brown suggested a medication called Anafranil.  He told me it is used to treat depression but could also help me with my anxiety problems.  I trust Dr. Brown.

My last doctor, Dr. Harrison, told me psychotherapy could be the best way to treat this.  I tried it for a few months and the routine of substituting my hiar pulling actions with clenching my fists or sitting on my hands.  It just flat out did not work.  He told me that trichotillomania is a disorder that affects people of all ages.  Now that I look back I'm glad that it didn't affect my childhood.  Hopefully I can get my adult life back on track now that I have options for treatment. 



Tommy

May 4th Update

Hello, my friends.  Today has been a good day so far!  I woke up and went to Denny's with my wife for breakfast, went for a jog, and haven't pulled a single strand of hair!  I have a scheduled appointment with my doctor tomorrow to see what kind of treatment would be necessary to keep me from pulling out my hair ever again.

In other news, it is national Star Wars day!  Being a huge fan, this is what makes my day even better.  May the 4th be with you all.



Tommy

Welcome

Hello, ladies and gentlemen.  My name is Tommy Thompson and I suffer from a disorder called trichotillomania.  It is a compulsive disorder that has me pull my hair out of my head.  I collect the hair in sandwich bags and sort them by length.  I often times like to tickle my face with it and eat the follice off every strand.

Please read this blog and follow my struggle with trichotillomania.