Trichotillmania (Hair pulling disorder)

[FunkyMonkey]

I have this. It’s a lot more under control than it was when I was a child. I’m still very embarrassed by it though.
The day my mum saw my bald patches was one of the most memorable of my childhood. She went spare and just kept screaming ‘you clown!’ at me, i was about 9. I know she was very upset bless her- she is extremely image conscious and worries about what people think- but it’s certainly stuck with me!

 

[simplelifex]

I wanted to start a thread on this to see if there's anyone on here with similar problems.

There are Facebook support pages but I find them too triggering and often not very supportive.

I have not being diagnosed for this but have mentioned to doctors many times.

I've pulled since I was teenager (29 now) and have been left with awful scars because of it. I can do it for a long period of time almost in a trance and find it do it most when I'm feeling stressed or anxious.

It would be interesting to know if there is anyone else who suffers and can maybe be used as a support thread?

 

[FunkyMonkey]

Raising my hand (with a clenched fist so you can’t see the skin around my fingernails) as another picker

 

[sleepingsatellite]

Logging in to share. I was really quite prolific at it in my 20’s to the point of it regrowing like a Mr Majeika tuft of hair at the top of my head (remember him ). When I think back to that time I know I was very very depressed. In my early 40’s now and noticed I was on the edge of doing it again. It’s been a rough year personally, but the lockdown has strangely helped me cope better and I think being aware helped me nip it in the bud. I do think this and skin picking (my sister does that) are down to
deeper underlying issues that we all could do with some help with.

 

[Helicopter68]

Long time lurker here but made an account after seeing this thread.

I’ve been pulling my head hair since I was 10 and I’m now 26..it just doesn’t get any easier to control it. I have to pull the really thick strands of hair or ones that aren’t straight.

I find getting a hair cut helps for about 2 weeks as I try and start fresh again with no pulling but I can never completely stop.

 

[simplelifex]

I'm really glad I made this thread, I'm extremely embarrassed by it aswell and apart from the doctor noone knows. I pull almost everywhere to the point where hair isn't growing back and I'm left with bald patches.

@ShowMeYourFeline im also a skin picker aswell

@Mumofferalboys have you considered eyelash extensions as a way to help ease the pulling? I know you mentioned your eyes can be sore and irritated I usually pop sliced cucumbers on mine to soothe any pain and redness.

Has anybody been successful with speaking to the doctor and having help from them?

I threw my tweezers away im hoping that this helps and I've got a ball of blu tac to fiddle with if I'm feeling the urge to pull. Also ordered castor oil as a few people have recommended this.

 

[FunkyMonkey]

I’m very thankful to the starter of this thread. So much I relate to that I thought I was alone in. Lots of love to you all

 

[Mumofferalboys]

I'm really glad I made this thread, I'm extremely embarrassed by it aswell and apart from the doctor noone knows. I pull almost everywhere to the point where hair isn't growing back and I'm left with bald patches.

@ShowMeYourFeline im also a skin picker aswell

@Mumofferalboys have you considered eyelash extensions as a way to help ease the pulling? I know you mentioned your eyes can be sore and irritated I usually pop sliced cucumbers on mine to soothe any pain and redness.

Has anybody been successful with speaking to the doctor and having help from them?

I threw my tweezers away im hoping that this helps and I've got a ball of blu tac to fiddle with if I'm feeling the urge to pull. Also ordered castor oil as a few people have recommended this.

Tried extensions and had them all pulled out within two days as was a busy hectic time in my life so a waste of money really

Will give the cucumber slices a try thank you.

I also pick and pull at any spot, mark or blemish on my skin, can go from being the smallest under skin pimple to a big bruised red mess because I just can’t leave it alone, also if I know my hubby has a spot I can’t settle until it’s popped, I know that’s so weird and not fair on him but I don’t know what it is I just genuinely can’t settle until it’s popped, he gets so annoyed with me about it and I’m always being told to stop picking at my face and fingers by family as I go at it until it bleeds, just one of those things that I can’t stop doing. Nice in a way to read that I’m not the only person with these quirks

 

[TruffleTrifle]

I don’t pull my hair out but do compulsively pick my scalp (dermatillomania) since I was about 21. Usually in times of stress. Anyone who knows how I can stop... please speak up!!

Hi all
Thanks for being so honest and sharing tips!

Fellow hair puller here although mine is specifically focussed on split ends (hope that's not triggering to mention and I won't go into more detail). Horrible cycle of then feeling too nervous to go the hairdresser's because of the awful condition which, of course, leads to more split ends and temptation.

Definitely the worst when I'm anxious but can also slip into a trance with it when I'm just bored or tired. About 15 years in with it now.

It seems there are lots of us out there!

Agree so much with going into a trance! Especially if I’m working or driving my hand just wanders up there with a mind of its own.

 

[FunkyMonkey]

Has anyone else noticed that far more men than women have beautiful eyelashes? It’s not fair, we’re the ones who need them!

Also do any other skin pickers like to watch popping vids on YouTube?

I don’t- because I know they would trigger me.
It’s an odd thing. A bit like self harm. I’m also vulnerable to drink and drugs. All a bit picking away.

 

[Begborrowsteal]

I have to pull the really thick strands of hair or ones that aren’t straight.

Me too! I think it all started when I had nits in school, constantly checking my hair and scalp. I get coarse strands of hair and always go for them. Im more of a biter & picker though, fingers & scalp.

 

[unt Bessie]

Hi all
Thanks for being so honest and sharing tips!

Fellow hair puller here although mine is specifically focussed on split ends (hope that's not triggering to mention and I won't go into more detail). Horrible cycle of then feeling too nervous to go the hairdresser's because of the awful condition which, of course, leads to more split ends and temptation.

Definitely the worst when I'm anxious but can also slip into a trance with it when I'm just bored or tired. About 15 years in with it now.

It seems there are lots of us out there!

 

[super grateful]

So reassuring to read this thread! I’ve never spoken to anyone about these things before. My family/partner see and encourage me to stop but it’s so difficult. Been picking my scalp/face and tying the ends of my hair in knots/ripping it out every day for maybe 10+ years now. I’ve no idea why it started. My face is scarred and my scalp is always so sore, it hurts to brush my hair and I’m embarrassed when I go to the hairdresser etc, I pick and pick until it bleeds and then repick when it scabs over.

 

[CupidStunt]

Yes I have been doing this since I was about 12/13. I always pull thick wirey hairs out from all over my scalp, it started when I found a really long and thick white hair and pulled it out. I’m also a nail biter

 

[chandlercheesecake]

I have this too, I've had it since I was about 11 I think. I use the "twirl and snap" technique. I know it's awful, I wish I could stop.

 

[GiftedNotFree]

Wow; it’s amazing to see so many replies! I have trich and developed it when I was 13. I turned 30 this year. It’s the bane of my life - every day I struggle with it. I pull scalp hair only and have not had a full head of hair for.... 10 years now . It is what it is.

I also don’t use the Facebook groups or any online support because they make me feel stressed! I really have no mechanisms, I just know for me, I’ve got less urges etc when I’m feeling mentally good. I’ve had low level depression since I was about 21 and this definitely impacts pulling my hair!

 

[ShowMeYourFeline]

I’m a puller too (and a skin picker). I won’t say what I do because I think it gives fellow sufferers ideas!

I have a need for symmetry and getting rid of anomalous hairs with my pulling.

Things that help:

• Having something to fiddle with in my hands
• Not being able to see the target areas

 

[Rocknrolla]

I play/roll with my sideburn hair when I’m anxious, I don’t know I’m doing it. The rolling causes little balls of knots then I pull it out.
When I had Individual extensions I would also pick and pull at the bonds until they came out, not realising what I was doing until I saw a big pile of scraggy hair on the arm of the sofa

 

[Mumofferalboys]

I pull my eyelashes out when I’m stressed, end up with really sore, irritated eyes so have to consciously try not to do it but it’s so hard to stop

 

[emmer_moans]

Me too! I think it all started when I had nits in school, constantly checking my hair and scalp. I get coarse strands of hair and always go for them. Im more of a biter & picker though, fingers & scalp.

I developed it aged about 14 probably due to stress and I am a fidget so I don't realise i do it half the time. When i was 15 i did have a proper bald patch so i hid it by wearing hair permanently in a bun and slicked over with gel so it wouldn't reveal. Took a year to grow back. I still pull a few hairs a day as am sat at my desk and it is a really hard habit to break. I don't get bald patches now but the hairline around my temples is a bit thinner. I also seem to find the coarser hairs that have a bit more of a texture and then pull them...terrible I know. I'm in my 30s now.

Yes I have been doing this since I was about 12/13. I always pull thick wirey hairs out from all over my scalp, it started when I found a really long and thick white hair and pulled it out. I’m also a nail biter

Omg, this! I don't know what it is about the thicker hairs but if they have a bit of texture I seem to have to pull them. For context I have long and light coloured straight hair but occasionally find white or black hair with a wiry texture. I don't know if it is linked with stress or is some latent self grooming exercise. I wish I could stop.