If you read my last post you know that Sunday I had something come over me that totally took away my urges, I’m not really sure what but it’s awesome.
I’m on my 6th day PULL FREE! …and I’ve had some slight urges but every time my hand heads up there I’ve caught it before Keen!
When it happens I speak to my body and say “no, I don’t pull my hair anymore.” (I got that from that article I read earlier in the week).
Laying in bed tired seems to be the only time this is affecting me right now and I still say, I am healed!
I’m not going to pull my hair anymore, I really have had enough and I feel like I’m in a good mental place right now and I actually took some actions that I feel led to take lately.
Yesterday I started the Keto Diet because I’ve been reading it can improve mental health.
Dr El-Mallakh, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Louisville, believes there is a ‘strong link’ between Ketogenic eating and mental health. He authored a book on the subject, Bipolar Depression, and last year published two case studies to support his findings. (source)
I’ve actually been reading up on Ketogenics for awhile and I just feel ready to start this and try because I see it helping others.
I did a video where I talk about what a therapist in one of the Trich groups wrote to his patients.
He basically told her to start with getting more sleep and change her diet to something healthier.
He suggested a book for the Whole 30 diet but I really feel God is leading me down this Keto diet path because of the people and events that have transpired along the way.
I’m really feeling like I’m in a season of strength right now, something came over me Sunday and I’m just ready to fight back so this doesn’t come back on me.
My diet has been an issue for awhile and I’ve just been avoiding it because I didn’t want to change it.
Up until now I have not been ready to make diet changes, but I do feel ready now so I went ahead and started.
I joined a support group on Facebook for Lazy Keto, because that’s definitely me, I’m not going to be religious about it but I am going to do my best.
I also purchased some Ketone test strips to make sure I’m in ketosis.
The first day was a bit rough just because it’s an ajustment for someone like me.. I really do like donuts. 🍩🍩
So, Does the Keto Diet help with Trichotillomania?
I’m going to report back and keep you updated on my own progress with it.
I have a sticker chart going with my pull-free days and I’m going to keep my diet written down in my Trich therapy journal to track progress.
Hi Leslie!
This is interesting that you are posting about this. I have been changing to breakfast in the past month to be more keto-diet-like, not originally with Trich in mind, but I have been sort of applying this and other diet changes based on my journal food tracking and correlation to my urges (meaning the trich journal you created which I LOVE!! btw). I used to have high carb or sugary breakfast and now I am having more high fat (plant based fat), low carb/no carb breakfast, and my morning pulling urges have reduced a lot. I also cut off on coffee and substituted with herbal tea, with may have something to do with morning urges decreasing too. Anyways, my husband works on Alzheimer’s disease research and we have learned ketosis-based diet (plant based mostly) is the best way to reduce risk of AD, so it helping with Trich is just an added bonus! Here is an example of my typical breakfast:
Half an avocado, with a table spoon of EVVO, 2 falafels (or some organic bean pattie, you can buy these on stores like Trade Joes), half cup of greens or mini carrots, some hummus. The hummus and the avo make it rich and yummy so it is a very filling breakfast.
Anyways, hope it works for you! much love
BTW I have been 2 weeks pull free! praise God!! 🙂
That’s really awesome to hear actually. Very encouraging. I have to admit, my diet has been so bad and I know it has been, its why I added that part in the journal. It just had to be the right timing and so far I’m doing really good. I’m 11 days pull free today! Praise Jesus!!! I really think its helping. I also heard about NAC in some groups? It’s a supplement? I was thinking of looking into that next just to see what it is and how it works.
Praise Jesus!! Glory to God!! 2 weeks is amazing!!!!!
This is interesting to me, I had never heard of trich until my 16 month old pulled huge bald spots out of her hair. Then I realized I have been doing this to a much lesser degree my entire life. And just found out tonight my dad has as well. We started keto for overall health about 3 months ago. I think I’ve actually slowed down on pulling my hair but my daughter just started doing it about 2 weeks ago. She and all of us eat a very well balanced diet of meat, good fats and vegetables with occasional fruit. No processed foods at all. We are having her checked for anemia because she is also eating her hair. Thanks for sharing your journey