Trichotillomania is an impulse control disorder that involves irresistible urges that can co-exist with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). It also has strong similarities with Compulsive Skin Picking. It usually develops at an early age from adolescence to early twenties and often stays with the sufferer throughout their life until they get treatment. The condition is more common in girls than boys.

Through my youth coaching in school I have been presented with various forms of Trichotillomania ranging from recurrent compulsive pulling of:

• Hair from the root of the scalp causing baldness
• Eyebrows
• Eyelashes
• Hair from the pubic region
• Perirectal area

Other issues that are closely related are nail biting, skin picking and hair sucking/chewing.

Individuals with Trichotillomania often try to cover up the hair loss and try to prevent others from seeing what they are doing by using camouflage techniques. This can include using hats, scarves, false eyelashes and even permanent eyebrow tattoos.

Doctors don’t know for certain what causes trichotillomania. Some think it could be related to obsessive-compulsive disorder since OCD and trichotillomania both involve repetitive behaviours.  Some sufferers also have problems like depression and anxiety. Compulsive behaviours like trichotillomania involve brain chemistry and may be genetic.

Sufferers can be so embarrassed, ashamed or depressed with their hair loss that they avoid social situations in order to prevent other people from seeing it. In my experience, Trichotillomania tends to affect confidence and self esteem and stops my students from living a normal life.

Using a combination or life coaching and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, I enable my students to build their confidence and self-esteem, identify triggers, symptoms and patterns of behaviour, then form a strategy to break the cycle and do something different.

If you know of a young person with Trichotillomania that needs assistance then please consider contacting me.

Recently I have been asked to provide advice and guidance on the use of coaching techniques to groups in a variety of different organisations. The reason I usually find for this is that they want to encourage a more non-directional coaching environment in the workplace, enable their staff to be happy and confident in their careers and obtain successful results for their organisation.

Some of the techniques that I cover include:

• Rapport Building
• Communication Skills
• An Introduction to Coaching Skills
• Effective Questioning

Enabling managers, teachers and GP’s to be able to build rapport quickly, communicate effectively and obtain the correct information by asking the right questions is likely to make a real difference to their clients, students and patients.

If you would like to know more about results based coaching in the workplace then by all means – contact me.

As I enable my students to achieve what they want in life, I have noticed that I am doing more coaching around planning and preparing to make a change.

In most cases my clients understand that goals need to be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time related. Combine that with determination and focus then change will happen. The question I am often asked is, how do I maintain my goals and succeed long-term?

The key for success is to plan, prepare and practice!
Most students tend to focus on the end result and spend less time on planning how they are going to get there, by what means and how to sustain it. Effective questioning enables me to coach my clients to create their own strategy for achievement that is personal to them. Success is more likely if it comes from within rather than suggested by someone else.

So what needs to be considered when planning and preparing to make a change?

• Keep things simple
• Who can assist in the process (family, friends, colleagues)
• Continuous communication with your support network
• What things are needed? (transport, music, calm, books)
• What coping strategies are required? (breathing, visualisation, mind games, music,)
• Set the scene
• What do you NOT want?  (anxiety, arguing, distractions, frustration)
• What DO you want? (calm, peace, happiness, confidence)
• Set yourself up for success rather than failure
• Emotional Intelligence – the awareness of emotions and behaviours in self and others
• Know your strengths and areas for improvement
• Maintain a positive mindset

Putting these things into place before attempting any action will certainly increase your chances for success. Practice and repetition will also make your conscious and unconscious mind aware of what needs to happen. In the event of a change, nerves or anxiety then it is the unconscious practiced mind that will take over and enable you to succeed with your actions.

It takes between 40 – 70 repetitions before the brain identifies change and acknowledges it as a new habit so if you want to maintain your success, remember to plan, prepare and practice, practice, practice!

Have an outstanding week and contact me if you want coaching to success.