Beating Trich Community Group

You mean that there is a name for IT? Im not weird? Trichotillomania, that big, long word that is the bane of our world. With knowledge and support of others we CAN break free and live without this disorder interfering with our lives. Lets keep this uplifting and supportive and give each other the encouragement the other needs to make it to that next day.

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Anxiety Disorders
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Chelsea's PULL-FREE-A-THON

trichdr
trichdr
I need to stop and celebrate. It may not seem like a big deal to some of you, but one day is huge to me. I have not gone one day without pulling in over a year. I can’t even remember when it’s been so long. Now I’m not going to get my hopes up and say this is it I will never pull again. That would be great and it is my goal, but if I slip up I will plug on. Nothing is going to keep me down this time. I can beat this, I am sick of feeling defeated by my own two hands. I am so thankful for this one day and it has made today that much easier. I have a reason not to pull, because it would ruin all my efforts yesterday. I can actually see little eyelashes and eyebrows (not that I looked in the mirror for long, as that is highly dangerous). Normally, they are picked completely clean, I can pull even the shortest hair that has just emerged. I have been taking biotin for several months and I think that has helped them to grow in quickly. I really think the iJK diet, nositol, NAC, and SAMe are finally starting to help. My urge is lower than it has been in forever. I have a one week goal right now. August 22 here I come!
confidenticandoit
confidenticandoit
Awesome! And great about your appointment too.
stroodleblooms
stroodleblooms
I'm interested in you reporting on the specialist visit! I remember you saying that this person had personal experience...

awesome find!
BooYah
BooYah
That is AWESOME that you have been able to stop yourself before getting sucked into a major pulling spree. That is perhaps an even greater victory than the number of PF days you have had. Congratulations!! : D
Community LeaderMid
Mid
Go for it, you got this! Best wishes!!!!!
trichdr
trichdr
I have gone 15 days without pulling from my scalp and of those 15 day I have had only 3 ‘bad’ days of pulling my lashes and/or eyebrows. I got a 6 on Tuesday, which was pretty discouraging, but then I kicked myself in the butt and reminded myself I cannot be negative or it will only lead to more pulling. The next day I got a 1. Yesterday I was PF and so far today I am PF.

Now when I look back at those ‘bad’ days I don’t see them as failures, just reminders of why I need to stay strong, aware, and focused on my recovery. I know that I need to follow the rules I have given myself and use the strategies I know that help.

I cannot become complacent with good enough progress, this has been my downfall in the past. It is these hiccups along the way, that keep me focused and determined. Over time, I know they will be less and less, but I do see the purpose and I will not loose hope or become discouraged. Rather I choose to look at these slips as days to refocus my energy and remind myself why I am working so hard. I know I will break free, but it will be a process.
confidenticandoit
confidenticandoit
Great job. Great attitude. Great!
mandapanda89
mandapanda89
Awesome attitude! You are doing great!!
trichdr
trichdr
I'm feeling good with two completely pull free days under my belt and 16 PF days on my scalp. The urge to pull from my scalp has not returned. The urge to pull from my eyes is deffinitely more manageable. The ingrained habit and mindless pulling that sparks an urge are my two biggest stumbling blocks right now. My current short term goal is to reach 5 days PF as 4 days are the most I have accomplised so far (at least in recent years...)

I think my supplements are helping my urges. I am continuing the NAC at 3600mg. I am lowering my inositol to 12g (from 18g) per day, as I am increasing my methanonine. to 2000mg The John Kender diet has also proven to be very helpful. The days I did pull from my eyes, I saw a direct correlation to sugar the day before.
confidenticandoit
confidenticandoit
This is so awesome!
Community LeaderMid
Mid
Hurrah! If you are keeping a food journal (and it sounds like you are, with direct correlation to sugar day before), then the clipboard tip is easier to notice and use, if you decide it's worth it. I have a clipboard with the columns for the days on it next to the drawer where the tweezers are. I have a positive saying on the clipboard as well.

My danger place with the tweezers pulling, as opposed to plucking, is the bathroom mirror and only that particular mirror. Every time I stop, I do a silly face, make a positive comment, and usually that works to keep me moving. When it doesn't the clipboard is between me and the tweezers and is a visual pause.

Cheers to you for making it through! I love it when the scalp urge disappears. It's an awesome feeling. Hurrah for the management of the eyes!

Stay strong!!!!
stroodleblooms
stroodleblooms
Sounds like you are doing great! I let the mindless slips vanish; I note them, reach for resources and move forward. Use the mindless slips as sirens for resources. Pull in the troops when you note a habitual tug or pull! My new rescue is my bandana. If I have a mindless slip, I reach for a resource - bandana - hat - go paint nails - whatever - I withdraw and recover!

Great to hear of your success!
trichdr
trichdr
Thanks for the tip about the clipboard, I'm going to give it a try. I need to do something differently because I'm seeing a pattern. I have no urge to pull from my scalp, but am not doing as well with my eyes. Lately, I have been going 2 or 3 days PF and then having a stronger urge, followed by a moment of weakness in which I pull. I usually get about a 2 or 3 on these days. Today was a 3. My short term goal is still to make it to 5 days completely PF. I need to stay away from the mirror and keep my hands down!

Today something very upsetting happened. When lighting the grill, a huge flame puffed up and burned my bangs that I have worked so hard to grow to a normal length. The ends were all kinky and I knew that would lead me to pull out the hairs, plus it looked crazy. So I cut my bangs, just cut off all that hard work. It was depressing, but a few inches of hair is better than the bald spot I probably would've created....19 day PF on my scalp and this happens, geez.
confidenticandoit
confidenticandoit
Oh gosh that suck so much :( I would cry and cry and cry. It's ok to mourn that loss.

Perhaps re-read Claudia's post on recovery. Those 2s and 3s are still recovery days. We can't expect perfection straight away, or ever, really.

Hugs :)
confidenticandoit
confidenticandoit
I think you're doing great.
mandapanda89
mandapanda89
That is awful about your bangs. But it doesn't undo all the effort and strides you have made in learning how to overcome urges!
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