Hair pulling can be a frustrating problem because each individual act of pulling feels voluntary. It’s easy to understand why many people think they should be ale to stop by just willpower alone. Unfortunately, after stopping, people find themselves pulling again despite their best efforts. Over time, the habit can become very strong.

Some people find that they pull mostly when stressed or anxious . Others find it to be an absent-minded behavior that seems to have a mind of its own.

In either case, CBT for hair pulling involves working to increase your awareness of the hair pulling when it’s happening, and to improve awareness of your patterns. For example, does it happen when you’re watching TV? When you’re at work? When you’re listening to podcasts? These are important things to know so you can strategize about how to address the behavior.

Treatment often involves stegic changes intended to make the act of hair pulling difficult or impossible. For example, wearing different clothing, wearing gloves, holding something in your hand, or putting band aids on your fingers can all significantly reduce the behavior. These are known as behavioral barriers. Although they are not complex solutions, of course, they are a critical part of the path to success for most people.

Another important part of HRT for a hair pulling disorder is competing responses. These are things you can do with your hands that prevent you from touching or pulling your hair. It could be as simple as holding an object or playing with a stress ball.

As people become more aware of their pulling patterns and learn new ways to respond to urges, they often experience a significant reduction in pulling and feel much more in control of their behavior.