ADHD, Trichotillomania, and Anxiety: A Functional Approach

Last year, a client came to me feeling overwhelmed and searching for answers for her young daughter. In the classroom, this child could not sit still. She pulled out her eyebrows and eyelashes, struggled with intense anxiety, and had increasing difficulty focusing. Simple classroom tasks, like turning to the correct page—felt impossible. She would drop her pencil, intentionally fall out of her chair, or begin talking to classmates as a way to avoid reading or completing math problems.

As her academic performance declined, her anxiety intensified. Migraines soon followed. What initially appeared to be “behavioral issues” was clearly something much deeper and her nervous system was sounding the alarm.

Looking Beyond the Surface

We began with a comprehensive battery of testing, alongside a full developmental vision evaluation. This type of vision assessment is very different from a standard eye exam or school screening. While her eyesight measured 20/20, the testing revealed that her eyes were not working together efficiently. Tracking letters and numbers on a page required far more effort than it should.

The recommendation was vision therapy. She completed sessions twice a week for four months. By the time she graduated from the program, she was able to read independently, complete math problems with confidence, and most notably her migraines significantly improved.

Addressing the Brain and Nervous System

Her testing also indicated patterns consistent with ADHD and OCD. Rather than immediately turning to medication, we took a functional approach.

First, I designed a targeted nutrition plan to reduce inflammatory triggers that can worsen attention, anxiety, and compulsive behaviors in some children. Next, I introduced neurofeedback therapy twice a week for 15 weeks.

Neurofeedback is a non-invasive form of biofeedback that works with the brain’s natural ability to change and adapt known as neuroplasticity. Using EEG sensors placed on the scalp, neurofeedback measures brainwave activity in real time. The brain then receives immediate feedback through visual or auditory cues, such as a screen that brightens or dims or a tone that changes. For this particular child she watched a tv show and when her OCD, ADHD or anxiety would get triggered the tv show would turn off, this form of neurofeedback forced her brain to control her challenges in order to receive the reward.

When the brain moves toward healthier, more regulated patterns, it receives a “reward” signal. Over time, and with repetition, the brain learns to self-correct and stabilize without medication or external stimulation.

Neurofeedback has been shown to help regulate symptoms associated with ADHD, anxiety, hypervigilance, OCD, trauma, and even addiction by calming an overactive nervous system and improving focus and emotional regulation.

The Outcome

After 15 weeks, the changes were remarkable. Her test scores improved. Her anxiety softened. Her OCD symptoms diminished. Most powerfully, her trichotillomania the compulsive hair pulling completely resolved.

This case is a powerful reminder that children are not broken. Their behaviors are often signals messages from the nervous system asking for support, not suppression. When we take the time to look at the root causes and support the brain and body as an integrated system, true healing becomes possible.