Trichotillomania

[Rolypolymmm]

The past year has been awful on my hair....I've never ever been this bad as I always had it somewhat under control but I must have pulled 80% of my hair out

Thankfully it is growing back now though and I'm hoping to get extensions in April.

I notice my times where I'm likely to pull is when I'm watching the TV in the evening so I've just had to make myself go to bed early as its not worth it.

I've had a lot of stress the last year that I probably wasn't acknowledging so I'm praying now that I'm strong enough to leave my hair alone

Has anyone tried any of the subliminal message videos on YouTube?
I've found one I'm finding very good if you want the name. I'm only listening a week and can already feel the urges to pull have lessened.

 

[cheapwetham]

Wasn't sure if there was already a thread for this on here, so thought I'd make one. Does anyone out there have trich, can offer any advice on coping/ making it better or just want to vent ?

I've had it on and off for about 8 years now and the pandemic has certainly caused it to flare up again. I've tried all sorts from plasters on my fingers, wearing glasses, even taking n acetyl cysteine supplements which I read somewhere are supposed to help? But nothing really seems to work. It's really getting me down now, I haven't had any eyelashes on my left eye for about 3 months now and I really need to find a way to stop pulling

I have had dermatillomania for as long as I can remember so I feel your pain! Skin picking/hair pulling is apparently a common comorbidity, particularly for anxiety and depression etc. I have recently been diagnosed with adhd and the psychiatrist explained that these conditions often go together as well, picking is a stress relief and also helps give a dopamine fix.

Ways I've been able to manage it in the past:
- reducing sugar and caffeine intake
- wearing clothing that has tactile hems as I find I will revert to touching the hem rather than picking
- look at fidget rings or similar, and try and be more conscious of when you're hair pulling and divert it to a different fidget instead
- there are also support groups on Facebook if you would benefit from a community who understands

I'm not gonna lie, it's bloody hard to stop and I don't think I'll ever stop completely, but if you haven't sought professional help yet then that's absolutely worth considering x

 

[hereforthedrama10]

I definitely have had had a hair pulling disorder for the last 20 years, since about aged 16 or so. But I’ve been able to do it guilt free, as I’ve only ever used tweezers to pluck hairs from my bikini line. I think I’m just incredibly luckily that the addiction has presented itself in a way that means that non of my head hair or eyelashes have ever been a temptation. Up until quite recently I never even considered that it was something that I did to self soothe, I just thought of it as a grooming task, in much the same way that I might shave my legs or exfoliate my face. But since going through a very stressful divorce three years ago, I realised that it was something that I would do to relieve stress. This is probably terrible advice, but since it’s incredibly hard to stop these types of disorders long term I wonder if you would be able to train yourself to relocate the hairs you pull? Say your arm hairs or some other hair that wouldn’t leave you with the guilt? Sending you lots of positive wishes for getting this under control x

Thank you! it's certainly worth perhaps trying to relocate it, I'd never thought of that! I think my issue is that it's such an ingrained behaviour, when I'm just sat reading a book or watching tv or something my hand will just automatically go to my eyelashes or eyebrows without me even thinking about it That's also the place where I get the most satisfaction from pulling the hair if that makes sense?

Thanks for the advice though, I really appreciate it, wishing you the best for yours too!

 

[Penguinandthepinecone]

I definitely have had had a hair pulling disorder for the last 20 years, since about aged 16 or so. But I’ve been able to do it guilt free, as I’ve only ever used tweezers to pluck hairs from my bikini line. I think I’m just incredibly luckily that the addiction has presented itself in a way that means that non of my head hair or eyelashes have ever been a temptation. Up until quite recently I never even considered that it was something that I did to self soothe, I just thought of it as a grooming task, in much the same way that I might shave my legs or exfoliate my face. But since going through a very stressful divorce three years ago, I realised that it was something that I would do to relieve stress. This is probably terrible advice, but since it’s incredibly hard to stop these types of disorders long term I wonder if you would be able to train yourself to relocate the hairs you pull? Say your arm hairs or some other hair that wouldn’t leave you with the guilt? Sending you lots of positive wishes for getting this under control x

 

[Jay-cloth Cow]

I have this - my eyelashes and to a lesser extent eyebrows are what I pull - and if I'm going through a 'bad' patch one side of my hairline too. Stress is a big trigger for me, and being overtired. I find using a fidget spinner helps as it keeps my hands distracted - and wearing mascara can make it worse as I have something easier to grab if that makes sense. If anyone has any recommendations for other ways to stop I'd be really interested to hear what works for you!

 

[Sally1993]

I didn’t know what this was until I started to read a few posts on here. I obsessively pick and scratch at the teeniest bumps on my skin. I have done it my entire life. My arms, chest, back and face are covered in small scars. I just can’t help myself. I pick, it turns into a scab, and I pick it multiple times a day and it gets bigger and bigger until I get worried that people will judge my skin so force myself to stop picking that particular scab. The best is when I get a bump/spot under my hair because I pick at it for ages because it can’t be seen.

Is this a kind of self-harm? I do find my scratching really intensifies when I am under stress. It gives me a sort of relief.

 

[Cookie55]

I didnt realize i had this until I found a short patch of hair. I tend to twist and run my hands thru my hair alot when stressed.

 

[hereforthedrama10]

Have you sought help from your Dr or medical professionals?? Had any CBT or counselling?

Not yet, I'm thinking this will have to be the next step although I guess I've put it off for so long because that would mean admitting I have a problem which is silly. I do think I need to just go for it

I have had dermatillomania for as long as I can remember so I feel your pain! Skin picking/hair pulling is apparently a common comorbidity, particularly for anxiety and depression etc. I have recently been diagnosed with adhd and the psychiatrist explained that these conditions often go together as well, picking is a stress relief and also helps give a dopamine fix.

Ways I've been able to manage it in the past:
- reducing sugar and caffeine intake
- wearing clothing that has tactile hems as I find I will revert to touching the hem rather than picking
- look at fidget rings or similar, and try and be more conscious of when you're hair pulling and divert it to a different fidget instead
- there are also support groups on Facebook if you would benefit from a community who understands

I'm not gonna lie, it's bloody hard to stop and I don't think I'll ever stop completely, but if you haven't sought professional help yet then that's absolutely worth considering x

Thank you! Really useful advice I appreciate it

The past year has been awful on my hair....I've never ever been this bad as I always had it somewhat under control but I must have pulled 80% of my hair out

Thankfully it is growing back now though and I'm hoping to get extensions in April.

I notice my times where I'm likely to pull is when I'm watching the TV in the evening so I've just had to make myself go to bed early as its not worth it.

I've had a lot of stress the last year that I probably wasn't acknowledging so I'm praying now that I'm strong enough to leave my hair alone

Has anyone tried any of the subliminal message videos on YouTube?
I've found one I'm finding very good if you want the name. I'm only listening a week and can already feel the urges to pull have lessened.

I'm so sorry to hear that It's been so rough recently, I think lockdown has probably exacerbated it massively for a lot of people.

Ooh, I've never heard of those. Please share the name!

 

[BettyCrocker]

Wasn't sure if there was already a thread for this on here, so thought I'd make one. Does anyone out there have trich, can offer any advice on coping/ making it better or just want to vent ?

I've had it on and off for about 8 years now and the pandemic has certainly caused it to flare up again. I've tried all sorts from plasters on my fingers, wearing glasses, even taking n acetyl cysteine supplements which I read somewhere are supposed to help? But nothing really seems to work. It's really getting me down now, I haven't had any eyelashes on my left eye for about 3 months now and I really need to find a way to stop pulling

Have you sought help from your Dr or medical professionals?? Had any CBT or counselling?

 

[Begborrowsteal]

My hands are agony at the moment from picking and biting at the skin. I have patches of eczema and i cant help but then pick at that too. It so sore.

 

[hereforthedrama10]

Wasn't sure if there was already a thread for this on here, so thought I'd make one. Does anyone out there have trich, can offer any advice on coping/ making it better or just want to vent ?

I've had it on and off for about 8 years now and the pandemic has certainly caused it to flare up again. I've tried all sorts from plasters on my fingers, wearing glasses, even taking n acetyl cysteine supplements which I read somewhere are supposed to help? But nothing really seems to work. It's really getting me down now, I haven't had any eyelashes on my left eye for about 3 months now and I really need to find a way to stop pulling