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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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!
trichdr
trichdr
Thanks for the encouragement!

I have tried charting for many years, but usually give up after a few months when it seems it is not helping. I am now committed to chart each day no matter what. I know in the long run, this will lead to progress. The good times will last longer and it will be easier to climb out of the depths of a bad pulling spree. Eventually, it will be easier to resist the urges and in time I know I will be pull free. I am committed, even when I don’t feel like it, I will continue.

As for my current situation…I am 16 days PF on my scalp and 4 days pull free with my lashes. March looks like it will be the first month since September when I had more good days than bad days. This is progress for which I am very thankful. My hair still doesn’t look any better, but I know I am working towards my goal and that feels great.
confidenticandoit
confidenticandoit
You are doing SO well!! Congratulations.

Charting is very helpful. I've been lax about it since January.. Ack.
Community LeaderMid
Mid
I say do what works when it works, and give yourself a pat on the back for working it! Charting works for me, I use the clipboard in my danger area when I find myself zoning out in front of the mirror.
Stay strong, you're doing excellent with the writing, and somehow, writing it out gives me courage to keep going, hurrah!
trichdr
trichdr
So the last few days have been a bit rocky. Since my last post my daily scores have been 0-10-1-8. So two very bad days with a good day sandwiched on either side. I had sugar and eggs, which definitely contributed to the bad days. I am accepting my March totals...and am committed to doing better in April. Overall, I am proud of March as it was a major improvement over January and February. I met my goal of more good days than bad days. Now for April my goal is to have more good days than I did in March. Onward and upward.
confidenticandoit
confidenticandoit
I think you're doing fantastic!! There's no way I'd call 10 hairs a bad day! If you haven't developrd a rating system yet I suggest you do. It helps put things in perspective. Eg for mea score of 3 (6-9 hairs) is a good score.
trichdr
trichdr
Thanks, I wish it was only 10 hairs...I meant a 10 on my rating scale, which is over 100 hairs. I had two 10 days in March and a few 8's. The rest were much better. So far today I am doing good...Without thinking I pulled two hairs, but as soon as I noticed what I was doing I stopped. Hopefully I can can get through the rest of the day without anymore slips.
Community LeaderMid
Mid
You've got this! Hurrah for doing what works! I like the balance of the days and the changes that give you peace of pull urges.

Stay strong, you have strength!
Community LeaderMid
Mid
Hope is something we give ourselves, just by being in the moment!

Thank you for giving me hope when I fell off the cliff with courage tattered, bravery bumped and bruised, and strength battered, as the eyebrows are recovering naturally.

Hugs instead of tugs, and you are doing wonderful!
mandapanda89
mandapanda89
Charting helps so much. I find it difficult to stick with because when I'm doing well I feel I don't need it, and when I'm not I don't like to look at the evidence of that. But I have had periods on and off of doing it quite a lot and I've found it so motivational overall. Focus on your improvement! Keeping charts raises your awareness levels so much - it sounds like you are doing well!
trichdr
trichdr
The last few days have been pretty rough, with scores of 6, 5, and 7. I've been doing good through most of the day and then have been pulling a lot at night. It's like once I start I just can't stop. So far today I've only pulled 4 hairs so I'm hoping to stay strong tonight. I read a blog about setting very short term goals in the midst of pulling as sometimes a whole day is just too big. So right now my goal is not to pull until 6:00 and to keep my hands below my chin (that's about 50 minutes..I can do this). I need to be better about my diet as I know some of my urges have been food related. I also ran out of inositol and didn't take it all last week while I waited for my next shipment. I've been taking it for two days now, so hopefully that will help.
Community LeaderMid
Mid
...you are doing wonderful...keep at it!
mandapanda89
mandapanda89
Setting short term goals is a great coping mechanism. I also like it because if you don't quite meet one goal, you can start again in another few hours! Could some of your urges be pregnancy related? I have no idea how that works, but it seems like hormones and all the physical changes could be huge triggers - take care of yourself!
confidenticandoit
confidenticandoit
Keep on persevering! I'm right there with you. We must be patient and persistent.
trichdr
trichdr
It's been awhile since I last checked in. April was kind of an off month. I had a lot of bad days (18), but I did have 12 good days so that's something. Part of my pulling was due to poor diet choices. I know certain foods are triggers for me yet, I sometimes can't seem to stay away (like Easter candy for a 'former' chocoholic...). Anyways May has been off to a better start with 8 good days and 1 bad day. I'm hoping to keep up this pattern.

On another note, little Rachel Sophia id due May 13th so I'm very excited for her arrival!!
mandapanda89
mandapanda89
Best of luck with your new baby! Be easy on yourself at this time - I can only imagine that it must be stressful as well as very exciting!
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