Trichstop Launches Self-Monitoring App

Here at trichstop.com we offer a therapist guided, online therapy program, based on CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). CBT has been consistently found to be the most effective form of therapy for the treatment of body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs). It is the method of choice that is primarily used by expert therapists worldwide, who specialize in treating this disorder. There are many methods within this treatment framework that can be applied in isolation of each other or together as a holistic and comprehensive whole. Regardless of the primary method of CBT employed by your therapist, one fundamental principle of CBT is the developing of awareness by the patient of the behavior they are trying to change and the contexts in which they occur.

Why do I need to develop awareness?

There are two types of hair pulling - automatic and focused. Automatic pulling, is pulling that occurs without the person being aware of the urge to pull prior to engaging in the behavior and so pulling often occurs without him or her realizing it. Focused pulling on the other hand, is when there is a clear and distinct irresistable urge to pull, resulting in the person purposefully engaging in pulling. In both instances, in order apply skills and strategies to tackle the behavior, it is important for the individual to be aware of when they tend to or are most at risk of pulling. Pulling usually follows a pattern and by identifying the pattern of pulling one can anticipate when the urge to pick is most likely to occur. One of the strategies used to get patients to gain awareness is the keeping of a pulling log. This is essentially where the patient is requested to document each time they pull and to record information such as location, context, what happened just prior to pulling and how you felt or what you were thinking, what was happening at the time of pulling and how you felt while pulling, and recording where on your body and the severity of pulling.

The Self-Monitoring App

Keeping a pulling log can be very challenging, particularly when pulling is integrated into ones daily life. We have had  feedback form many clients through our program who have reported struggling to remember to keep the log or it was not always easy to record in written or typed formats. For this reason the team at trichstop.com decided to develop an app for mobile that will enable the patient to record their pulling behaviors quickly, securely and on the go. The main role of the self monitoring tool is to create awareness for the client about their behavior, and identify patterns. The app is now live and available for download on android and iOS devices.

Download the App Here