Paula Gardiner

Paula Gardiner (MSC)

About Paula

I am a CBT Practitioner Accredited with the BABCP with a Master’s degree. I also hold a Master’s degree in Neurological Physiotherapy. This dual profession works well together especially in setting realistic goals for patients. I currently work as a Tutor in Psychological Therapy in Primary Care for Dundee University and also run my own private clinical practice in Central Stirling. 






Impact of hair loss

The experience of hair loss can be psychologically distressing, causing intense emotional suffering, and often leading to personal, social, and work-related problems. The emotions as a result of hair loss are sometimes so overwhelming that it starts affecting the patient's daily routine of life. Some of the mild to severe symptoms of associated psychological problems with hair loss are: anxiety, anger, depression, embarrassment, decreased confidence, reduction in work and sexual performance, social withdrawal.

 

Psychological treatment is important for people with hair loss. Anxiety and depression caused by hair loss can be treated using cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). CBT will help to understand the behaviours associated, the cognitions that drive the distress and work to improve self-esteem, mood and anxiety related to this. 


 

Treating Trichotillomania

The condition is defined as an obsessive-compulsive or related disorder in which patients recurrently pull out hair from any region of their body. The psychosocial aspects of trichotillomania are greatly underestimated and can be extremely disabling with evident impact on quality of life and social and psychological functioning. Significant benefits are usually obtained with cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), currently the most empirically validated treatment option. Habit reversal training (HRT), a type of CBT, involves helping patients acquire awareness of their hair-pulling behaviour and then replacing that behaviour with other activities that patients can perform with their hands whenever they feel the urge to pull out their hair. It is often associated with other anxiety or depressive disorders. CBT has huge efficacy and evidence based for treating this comorbid disorder.


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