Guide For Teaching someone with a BFRB (Body Focused Repetitive Behaviour)
Effective Strategies for Supporting Students with Trichotillomania in the Classroom
How can I help my hair-pulling or skin picking pupil?
Maybe you have Trichotillomania or another BFRB, and perhaps it is your pupil whose Trichotillomania you would like to help relieve. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts 💕, for your interest and if you have a few minutes, let us tell you more about the condition.
If you have a pupil with a BFRB, observe them writing and talk to them about perfectionism. Please be willing to help arrange for them to receive accommodations like extra time in exams.
- Let your pupil know they can come to you with any concerns.
The primary factors involved in BFRBs are overwhelm, boredom and attention. It tends to happen to high-functioning individuals, so you might not initially recognise an attention problem.
Understanding Trichotillomania and BFRBs
Trichotillomania is an impulse control disorder which compels a person to pull out hair from various areas of their body, mainly the scalp, eyelashes and eyebrows. Most people nowadays pronounce it TRICK-Oh-till-oh-mania. We tend to call it tric (pronounced trick).
The affectionate term for a person who has Trichotillomania is “tricster” (pronounced trickster).
Supporting Pupils with Trichotillomania
- Create a Supportive Classroom Environment: Foster a positive and understanding atmosphere where the pupil feels safe and accepted. Avoid singling them out or drawing attention to their behaviour.
- Collaborate with Parents and Professionals: Work closely with the pupil’s parents and any involved healthcare professionals to ensure a consistent and supportive approach. You may wish to pass parents our helpline number +44 7910 114739 (volunteer run, so please keep trying).
- Understand Triggers and Stressors: Identify any specific triggers or stressors that may exacerbate the pupil’s hair-pulling behaviour and try to minimise them within the classroom environment.
- Promote Positive Coping Mechanisms: Encourage and support the use of healthy coping strategies and stress-relief techniques. This may include mindfulness exercises, stress balls, or other tactile aids.
- Educate Peers: Provide age-appropriate education to the pupil’s peers about trichotillomania to foster understanding and reduce stigma. This should be done with the consent of the pupil and their parents.
- Address Emotional and Social Needs: Pay attention to the pupil’s emotional and social well-being. Offer support and guidance, and consider involving school counselling services if needed. We can. also help by advising your school counsellor about targeted therapy, as venting can often lead to increased obsession.
Additional Support
If you need further guidance or resources, please contact us. We are here to support you in providing the best care and support for your pupils with trichotillomania.