Trichotillomania Mutual
Support Group Newsletter
Sunday - August 16, 1998
(Volume 1, Issue 3)
We hope that this month's newsletter finds all of you in peaceful bliss as
you gear up to send the kids back to school -- or to return to school
yourself! We think that this month's newsletter is better than ever, and we
hope that you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed putting it together!
We have had so many new subscribers joining us in the past month that
you might find this issue contains many old links, as well as new ones. If
any links have been posted in previous newsletters, the link will contain a
"*" after it. That way, those of you who have already viewed the site may
choose whether or not to peruse it again.
One other note: If a link is a website, the link will be noted with
(WEB) afterward. If the link is only accessible to members of America
Online, the link will be noted (AOL).
Health News...
<A HREF=" http://www.betterhealth.com/
">Better Health Website</A>
<----Click
here to go to the Better Health Website and find out what's NEW at Better
Health! (WEB)
<A HREF=" aol://4344:308.lhf00208.679449.495035226 ">General Anxiety
Disorder
</A> <----Click here to get information about Anxiety Disorders (AOL)
Mental Health Expert: Come meet Dr. Peggy Elam, PhD, as she hosts a
Mental Health Chat every Wednesday from 10:00-11:00 PM (EST). Ask
questions and get answers about any mental health issue topic. Click here
------>
<A HREF=" http://www.betterhealth.com/experts/elam.html
">Ask the
Experts </A>
<------(AOL) *
Birthdays, Anniversaries, and Celebrations...
i i i i i
{~~~~~~~~~~}
{****************}
***Happy Birthday to You***
{*****************}
Birthday wishes in August go out to: BertBPH, Wallhome,
RClif17101, BMarti2770, BlueAngelV -- we hope you all have a wonderful and
perfect special day!
Other such celebrations...
Winning the war against TTM (it CAN be done)! Our inspirations: BertBPH
(A year and a half!), Leslie554 (5 months!), The3H (A year!), BeyondDSea
(over a month!), LyndaV2561 (20 months!), Susan82667, RClif17101 (84 days),
Wallhome, and the list goes on!
A note from BHostBeth about this section of the newsletter: The list above
is certainly not a complete list of members who are successfully battling
TTM. The names above are simply the list of people who wish to share
their accomplishments, hoping that others might find inspiration from their
efforts. Winning the war doesn't necessarily mean that the person is
completely and totally pull-free, either (though many of the names listed
above ARE) -- but it means that they certainly have many more pull-free
days than not. And this, folks, is something tha deserves kudos and
congratulations and attention. I, for one, feel that I can learn something
from others who have done something that I, myself, have not been able to
do yet. If you have TTM, or if you have a child or a loved one with TTM,
then you know how hard this battle is to fight. It's something we live
with daily. The one thing that remains constant in my mind when I see the
new names each month on the list above is this: If they can do it...then
one day, I will be able to do so, too. I hope that's the way that many of
you look at it.
In the News...
<A HREF=" http://www.mhsource.com/edu/psytimes/p971150.html
">An
Article Written About TLC</A> (WEB)
<A HREF=" http://www.netspace.org/indy/issues/04-16-98/features2.html
">An
Articl e Written by someone with TTM</A> (WEB)
<A HREF=" http://www.mentalhealth.com/drugrs/p33-o01.html
">Research
Re: Pimozide</A> (WEB)
<A HREF=" http://www.auhs.edu/medschool/ctsa/index.html
">Center for
the Treatment and Study of Anxiety (WEB)</A>
<A HREF=" http://members.xoom.com/ets/LINKS.HTM
"> Trichotillomania: The
TM Central Home Page</A> (Under Construction) (WEB)
<A HREF=" http://www.tundra.org/~nannette/trich/ttm.html
">Nan's
Trich Bibliography</A>
<A HREF=" http://home.sprynet.com/sprynet/phiend/trich.htm
">Trichotillomania
Solutions - Scalp Treatment</A> (WEB) *
<A HREF=" http://members.aol.com/nsarna/home.html
">Trichotillomania &
Hypnosis </A> (WEB) *
<A HREF=" http://www.emofree.com/tricho.htm
">Touching trichotillomania
tale </A> (WEB) *
Recipes (designed to make dinnertime a breeze!)...
Tin Foil Dinner (Better than it sounds, I assure you!)
-- 4 Chicken Breasts (I like boneless/skinless - because it cooks so
much faster!)
OR 4 Fish Filets - any kind
-- Cut up Vegetables (I slice new "red" potatoes, carrots, squash,
onions,
broccoli, and tomatoes)
-- 2 Lemons, sliced
-- Butter, salt and pepper, to taste
Lay out a piece of tinfoil for each piece of chicken or fish, four or
five times the size of the meat itself (enough to "wrap" the meat up,
including veggies). In center of rectangle, lay meat. Surround with
vegetables. Squeeze lemons but don't discard the rine -- toss that in with
the meat and veggies when all juice has been extracted. Place several
"patties" of butter on top (I use "squeeze" butter for this -- the
easier
the better!!). "Wrap" the whole production up by bringing in all sides of
the tin foil and rolling up to create a little pocket. Do this with each
piece of meat.
Bake in oven at 375 degrees. Fish, 30-35 mins or til cooked
through. Chicken, 40-45 minutes, until no longer pink in the middle.
Aspirin Cake - Every mother has made this cake. Can you remember when?
Preheat oven to 375 degrees
Turn down TV
Remove toys from countertop
Measure 2 cups flour
Get baking powder
Remove Benjamin's hands from flour
Put flour, baking powder and salt into sifter
Vacuum mixture off kitchen floor (Benjamin spilled)
Get an egg
Answer telephone
Separate egg and warm Baby Adam's bottle
Help Mary figure out a New Math problem (the old reliable way)
Grease pan; salesman at door
Take 1/4 inch of salt from greased pan and look for Benjamin
Do this with Baby Adam on your hip at all times
Seperate Mary and Benjamin who are fighting over who is going to stir
this time
Clean up mixture that spills onto floor during this heated argument
Put mess in wastebasket
Dishes in dishwasher
Call the bakery
Take an aspirin
* The above listed recipes do not necessarily meet the criteria for the
John Kender Diet. Because it is our belief that most of the recipients of
this newsletter do not follow, on a whole, any strict dietary guidelines,
we will continue to provide recipes designed for the majority of our
readers. If you would like more information on the JK diet, as well as a
listing of the dietary guidelines, see the "Interesting Links" portion of
this newsletter. The JK diet is listed in its entirity on "Amanda's
Website".
An Inspirational Poem
Do You Know What Hope Is?
It's magic and it's free.
It's not in a prescription
It's not in an IV.
It punctuates our laughter,
It sparkles in our tears.
It simmers under sorrows,
And dissipates our fears.
Doyou know what hope is?
It's reaching past today,
It's dreaming of tomorrow,
It's trying a new way.
It's pushing past Impossible
It's pounding on the door,
It's questioning the Answer.
It's always seeking more.
It's rumors of a break
it's whispers of a cure
A roller coasterride
.Of remedies, unsure.
Doyou know what Hopeis?
It's candy for the soul,
It's perfume for the spirit,
To share it, makes you Whole.
Take my hand...come.....lets share this
hope......together......
«*´`³¤ «*´`³¤ «*´`³¤
Picks and Pans (A TTM Get-together in Southern CA)
Written by: BHostSandi
On Saturday, August 1st, 1998, about a dozen Southern
California Trichsters got together to meet at a park in Beverly Hills. CJ
of the Fairlight Bulletin Board arranged the event. Many of us were
nervous ahead of time to meet other hairpullers. We had many of the same
concerns: "Will people be weird?" "Will others wear a wig like me?"
"How
will I feel talking face to face with other Trichsters?" Well, these and
other questions were answered at the "Trichnic" as Keiko so aptly named it.
I arrived late because I got lost and because I was busy getting ready
for 40 teenagers coming to my daughter's sweet sixteen party the next
day. When I arrived, I walked up the stairs to the picnic area, and a group
was sitting at the table ahead of me. I was really surprised to see that
all of the people had gray hair, but I was even more surprised to notice
that they all looked about 20 years older than me, and I am 48! Then, my
glance shifted to the right to another group. Aaaaaaaahhhhh, now these
people look more like it, I thought! I went over, and CJ asked me my name
and introduced herself. I told them I was Sandicares, and then the others
introduced themselves. I met John, Marge, Mary from LA, Bijou, Ann, who is
Marie7703, Angie, BHost Bob, CJ and others.
We had a wonderful time, sharing stories and rituals, and eating, eating,
eating...that is those of us who felt like eating. I think some of us were so
keyed up, that we didn't feel like filling our stomachs...they were already
full of butterflies.
We shared pictures of ourselves with and without hair, of our families
and our pets, of ourselves as children and adults. CJ bought each
of us a present. I am looking at mine right now as I type this article. We
each got a bean bag baby to love and hold when we feel the pulling urge.
Now, isn't that sweet of CJ?!!!!!
Then it was time for picture taking! We grabbed our toys, etc, and
posed as Bob took pictures of us. He graciously offered to be the
resident photographer since he was the only non-trichster amongst us.
Well, that is just a summary of our day.
It doesn't begin to you when you're
feeling stressed
You just need to be de-tressed You can pull while riding in your
car
Pull in places near and far Pull in Springfield or Siam Or while you eat green eggs and
ham."
"And most of all, what this game is about -
You've just GOT to get the bad ones out."
"Look, you've got one over here,
That's sticking up all crooked and queer."
The feline said, "It really must go."
And he yanked it right out before I could say no.
He held it up to the light for me to see
Proud of himself as he could be
Didn't hurt as much as I thought it would
As a matter of fact, it kind of felt...good.
"Here's another," he pointed, "All frizzy and fried,
And this eyebrow hair sticks way out to the side
And this eyelash is not quite in line with the rest
To pull them out now would really be best."
I yanked, pulled, plucked, and those hairs were soon gone
But we quickly found more, and so we kept on
I didn't know that two hours had passed
Till I looked in the mirror and froze there, aghast.
My eyebrows were now all patchy and bare
My lashes - maybe twelve were still there
And on top of my head, a three-inch spot
Where once there was hair, but now there was not.
In horror and anguish I let out a shriek,
"I look like a circus sideshow freak!
To grow back will take it six months and a day!"
The Cat just replied, "At the least, I should say."
He pulled out from his hat, some paint for my eyes,
For my brows, "This pencil will help you disguise."
"But my hair is a fright," I said, "What about that?!?"
He pondered and puzzled, " - Of course!" said the Cat.
He reached up and taking the hat from his head
Placed it squarely on top of my own instead.
Allaying concern for his now-hatless dome,
"No need for thanks, I have twelve more at home."
"Well, I really must go, but wasn't this fun?
Now make sure you pull out every last little one!"
With a wink and a wave he turned towards the door
"Cat!" I called out, "Why'd you do this? What for?"
Befuddled, he turned, "Why, it's simple my dear.
Just think of your boredom before I was here.
Where once was ennui, now there's self-loathing
Hiding your bald spots with makeup and clothing
Trying to swim and not get your hair wet
Thinking up lies for the questions you'll get
You should not look at this habit all wrong
You now have a fine hobby to last your life long."
In a blink he was gone as quick as he came
Leaving me trapped in this fixating game
Pulling and fighting and pulling some more
My hair and my pride left all over the floor.
So if someday you say to yourself, "What a bore."
And that Cat in the Hat should show up at your door
Take my advice and heed what I've said
Shut the door in his face - take up ping-pong instead!
Chat Schedule...
We now have a chat geared toward every time zone. As you know, you can
just click on the link below (in blue) to go right to the meeting room. If
you have trouble accessing the chats or you need more information, send
email to BHostSandi or BHostBeth and we'll try to help you out. Please see
below for the current chat schedule:
Mondays - 8PM (EST)
Trichotillomania Mutual Support
Facilitator: Yorkeez
Room: <A HREF="aol://2719:3-193-Health%20Conference">TT</A>
<A HREF="aol://2719:2-2-trichotillomania">M Private Chat Room</A>
Tuesdays - 11PM(EST)
Trichotillomania Mutual Support
Facilitator: BHostSoap, BHostJason
Room: <A HREF="aol://2719:3-193-Health%20Conference">Health Conference
Room </A>
Thursdays - 10PM(EST)
Trichotillomania Mutual Support
Facilitator: BHostBeth, BHostSandi
Room: <A HREF="aol://2719:3-193-Health%20Conference">Health Conference
Room </A>
Saturdays - 10PM(EST)
Trichotillomania Mutual Support
Room: <A HREF="aol://2719:2-2-trichotillomania">TTM Private Chat
Room</A>
Name One Thing You're Proud of...
By BHostSoap
Last newsletter, we asked you to share with us something that you'd
done during the past year that you were really proud of. Here are some of
the responses we got (way to GO, guys!!!!):
ChemieNoel writes: "I took sailing lessons! I have been sailing on a
big boat for 18 years and I finally learned how to sail a little boat that
tips over when you make a mistake LOL. I am still trying to work up my
courage to sail in a heavy wind. Maybe I will save that for my next year's
accomplishment :) (FYI--We sail out of Fair Haven on the eastern shore of
Lake Ontario.)
Delftblue writes: "I'm proud that I have gone back to school for
another Masters so I can leave my present job and do something I've been
longing to do for a while. Counseling children has been my dream, and now
I'm working on a degree in School Psychology."
Nature5 writes: "Something i'm proud of is having my first
sleepover in 3 years and going swimming with my brother for the
first time in 3 years."
BurnsET writes: "I was in a play this year for the first time. I
always wanted to do it, but never had the guts to try it. Then I saw a
call for tryouts in the paper and I just went for it. I only got a tiny
part in the chorus, but all of us in the cast had a great time! I will
probably be doing more theater in the future."
We'd really like to continue this column...and we're positive that
everyone can think of something that you're proud of doing -- please
continue sending in your responses! You can send a response by clicking
here --------> <A HREF="mailto: BHostBeth">Something I'm Proud
Of...</A>
Interesting Links...
<A HREF="aol://4344:3180.g20home.21639285.573615407">Kim's Korner
(Addiction and Recovery - AOL)</A>
<A HREF="aol://4344:972.depmain.1277521.544569132">Depression
Information
(AOL)</A> <A HREF=" http://www.onlinepsych.com/public/Mind_Games/copingfr.htm
">How
Do You React to Stress? (Quiz)</A> (WEB)
<A HREF="aol://4344:972.flower.1283383.574638122">Relaxation Moments
(AOL)</A>
<A HREF="aol://4344:662.simain.5666527.559874841">Self-Improvement
Network
(AOL)</A>
<A HREF="aol://4344:1209.athealth.9701067.516591419">Thrive Network
(AOL)</A>
<A HREF=" http://www.onlinepsych.com/locator/United_States/
">Find a
Therapist Near You</A> (WEB)
<A HREF=" http://www.mhsource.com/hy/connect.html
">Connections</A> (WEB)
<A HREF=" http://geocities.com/HotSprings/Spa/5530/tshn_chat.html
">TTM
Talk City Chatrooms</A>* <A
HREF=" http://home.talkcity.com/ReflectionsRd/bhostbeth/index.html
">
BHostBet h's Home Page</A> *
<A HREF=" http://www.math.okstate.edu/~stephan/FAQ/PsychiatricTimes.html
">
Psychiatric Times</A> *
<A HREF=" http://www.pressenter.com/~cnovakmd/index.htm
">PIONEER CLINIC</A> *
<A HREF=" http://www.trich.org
/">Trichotillomania Learning Center</A>*
<A HREF=" http://www.fairlite.com/trich/board
">Fairlight Bulletin Board</A> *
<A HREF=" http://www.ocdhelp.org/conference/tapes.html
">OCF Conference Tapes
</A>*
<A
HREF=" http://dem0nmac.mgh.harvard.edu/neurowebforum/BehavioralDisordersArticles/MyTrichotillomaniaRecovery.htm
">My Trichotillomania Recovery</A>*
<A HREF=" http://members.aol.com/nsarna/home.html
">Trichotillomania & Hypnosis
</A> *
<A HREF=" http://shell5.ba.best.com/~magpie/trich.htm
">A Trichotillomania Story
</A> *
<A HREF=" http://www.stepstn.com/nord/rdb_sum/768.htm
">NORD - Trichotillomania
</A> *
<A HREF="file://C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\blank.htm">Steph's Trichotillomania
Pages
</A> *
<A HREF=" http://www.ttmnl.com/ABOUTTTM.HTM
">About TTM</A>* <A HREF=" http://www.r-a.org/RASteps.htm ">The
Twelve Steps of Recoveries
Anonymous, TTM</A>* <A HREF=" http://ocean.st.usm.edu/~velley/index.html
">AN ESSAY on TTM</A>*
<A HREF=" http://home.snap.com/directory/category/0,16,home-20242,00.html
">
Snap !:Health:Mental Health:Mental Disorders:TTM...</A> *
<A HREF=" http://www.math.okstate.edu/~stephan/FAQ/children.html
">Helping
a child with TTM</A>*
<A HREF=" http://www.npi.ucla.edu/caap/anxieties/Trichotillomania.htm
">
Trichotillomania</A> *
<A HREF=" http://www.du.edu/~cullmer/trich.html
">Trichotillomania Web
Page</A>
*
<A HREF=" http://www.jly2.com/ttm
">Amanda's Trich Guide
</A>*
<A HREF=" http://www.softhats.com
/">www.softhats.com</A> (hats and
other headcoverings)*
<A HREF=" http://www.isahats.com/med2.html
">To Women with Hairloss</A>
(pretty hats for pretty heads)*
<A HREF="
http://www.support-group.com/cgi-bin/sg/get_links?trichotillomania">
Support-Group.com: Trichotillomania</A> (Another BB for TTM on the Net)*
<A HREF=" http://www.ocdhope.com
/">OCD Resource Center of South Florida</A>*
Tips and Tricks...
(As suggested by fellow "trichsters" - back by popular demand!)
- "Keeping a wig or scarf on." "No matter how uncomfortable, it beats
the alternative."
- "Koosh balls! A great way to keep your hands busy with motions similar
to pulling (although they do make your hands smell like rubber a little bit!)"
- "Rubber bands help me. I put one on my wrist and everytime I feel the
urge to pull I snap the rubber band. It's kind of like being snapped back
into reality."
- "I use Nioxin! I'm not really sure if it works but it feels good,
all tingly, and at $20 a month I'm motivated to keep my hands off of my
head! You can even put it on your brows or lashes."
- "I use a tea tree shampoo. Minty, it tingles, your head feels fresh!"
- "I think I pull more when I'm stressed out. So I take some time out for
me. I drink some chamomile tea (known to be soothing), I burn some candles,
listen to some relaxing music, and take a bubble bath with a good book.
Most people say they don't have time for it, but just 15 minutes is all it
takes before I usually start feeling like a new person."
Upcoming TTM Event!
Mark your calendars now! : August 22-25 -- TLC Boston Retreat
For more information, visit the Trichotillomania Learning Center
Website at: TLC's 1998 Retreat
Personal Messages...
This was sent to us by Wallhome (aka Keri), who wished to share her
personal testimony with others...we hope that you applaud her for her
courage, and take inspiration with you as you read her story...
Hi!
Just wanted to let you know that I'm better than ever. I consider myself
pull- free since Jan 8, 98. I had a struggle a couple of days in this
period where I pulled off some split ends, but no hair pulling. I know the
reason I had trouble at these times because my body chemistry was not
right. When my bodychemistry is right I have absolutely no urges to pull.
How I started to be pull free.
First I read about Potassium on the BB.
I didn't think it would work because I had tried other natural things
along this line and nothing worked for me vitamins, herbs, St. Johns
Wort, everything but prescription drugs. I started pulling my hair at about 9 years of
age, and basically
pulled consistently up untill Jan. 8, 98. I always had a least on bald spot
on my head that I tried to cover up one way or another. (Anyone that pulls
knows what I mean :-) )
When I read about diet and Potassium on the BB. I thought why not try so
I did. Don't misread this. Potassium is not a wonder drug or a magic pill. You
have to address first the chemical need in you body and secondly the
behavioral habit. I first took one 99 mg Potassium tablet with each meal (3 times a day)
It takes about 1 hour for it to work for me. What Potassium does for me is
it soothes the urge like putting calamine lotion on a bug bite. The first time I took the
Potass. I still had the urge but it was greatly diminished. I actually knew when my hand
was going up to pull. This
to me alone was amazing I usually never knew when I was pulling my hair, I
wouldjust catch myself after I had about 20-30 hairs laying in my lap. The Potassium
was doing it's job, it was doing what doctors say it does. Potassium deficiency may
result in nervous disorders.
Potassium is an important mineral that plays a vital role in the transmission
of electrical impulses through the central nervous system. Deficiency of Potassium
resulting in mental confusion Now comes the behavioral part. When I saw my hand coming up
to pull.
I literally said "NO" out loud and pushed my hand down with my other hand.
I was actually able to do this, and I kept doing this. It took about a week
to take and after the second week I was pretty much on the road to recovery
after almost 30 years of pulling. I'm 38 now. During those first critical
weeks I also wore my hair in pony tails, squeezed balls, wet my hair, etc.,
to keep my hands away. It really was so much easier once I REGULARLY took
the Potassium. I also watch my diet, I won't give up coffee, but I do watch my sugar
intake closely. No icing for me or I zone out. I also exercise (3 times a
week for 30 min. on a treadmill) but I did these things before and still
pulled. I also talked to my Dr. about my Trich. She said that (over the counter for
me is fine, no more than three 99 mg tablets a day). She said if I need
more than that to contact her for prescription kind. Also if you have a
weak stomach Potassium can cause stomach pain in some. Also if you have
kidney problems don't take Potassium without consulting your Dr. If you
can't take the pills. It's in lots of foods, please eat them. 1 banana is
about the same as one pill. I now have a big glass of OJ in the morning too.
If I can get a hold of this Trich. after almost 30 years of pulling, anyone
can.
Take care
(Keri)Carrie
TTM Mailers and Online Support Groups...
We've noticed that many of our chat members lately didn't know all of
the various resources available to them as far as online mailers and
support groups go...so we tried to compile a list and have included them here:
TTM Mailer (run by John Kender, creator of the "JK Diet"): To subscribe,
send email to
" owner-ttm@cs.columbia.edu " and
enter "subscribe" in the subject heading area.
T.H.E.O. (Trichsters Helping Each Other) Online: Send email asking to
subscribe to " PSJL@aol.com ".
Parents Of Trichsters: Send email to "Oceanmrc@aol.com " asking to subscribe.
AOL TTM Mutual Support Group Newsletter (i.e. this newsletter and chat
group):
Send email to BHostBeth@aol.com asking to
subscribe.
If you know of any other online support group or mailer that isn't listed
in this newsletter, please notify us so that we may add it to the next
newsletter by clicking here ----> <A HREF="mailto: BHostBeth">TTM
Online
List</A>
Feedback...
Since this newsletter is designed with you in mind, we'd love to hear
your opinions and ideas about it! If you have any suggestions on how to
make our newsletter better (educational, informative, artistic, humurous -
any way you can think of!) please drop us a line and let us know about it!
This is YOUR community...
Email us by clicking here: ---------> <A HREF="Mailto: BHostJason,
BHostSoap, BHostSandi, BHostBeth">Newsletter Suggestions</A>
Some housekeeping chores:
If you know someone who would like to be added to this mailing list, or if
you wish to be deleted from this list, please e-mail BHostSandi or BHostBeth.
Disclaimer:
"Views expressed in the TTM Mutual Support Group chat and newsletter are
the responsibility of the members involved. Better Health Network and AOL
do not endorse or censure any opinions, ideas, or information providing it
does not violate TOS or the Better Health Guidelines"
If your operating system doesn't support links, and you can't reach
the websites above, please send email to BHostBeth and she will email you
the direct addresses so that you may use the browser of your choice.
\\\\|////
( o o )
-o0Oo----U----oO0o--
See ya next month!