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.
Hi,
I’ve spent a few weeks reading some of your posts and becoming inspired by everyone’s honesty and willingness to fight the urges to pull. I want to stop pulling and I want to lose the shame, guilt, and anxiety it creates.
So, today I’m going to start my first ever Pull Free A Thon. I need to stop and am committed to stopping. And writing this here with your encouragement will certainly help.
I started pulling in middle school, maybe around age 13? I’m now 26. That means I’ve been pulling for half of my life. Ahh! I’ve never thought of it in that way! It frustrates me so much! I’ve always pulled my eyebrows, though as some of you described the urges come in waves of intensity. I’ve had some healthy growth periods, and then other times of shortening, thinning, to non-existent eyebrows. I hate the pictures of those times. I want to burn them all or deny them. Yet, I feel myself falling into another period of extended pulling and I want to stop it. I don’t want this any more.
In high school I met with a counselor, but I didn’t feel many benefits from the meetings. She focused on big events in my past, assuming they were the cause, rather than helping with just the daily urge to pull which is so hard to fight. She ended my meetings with her just saying, “A few hairs a day isn’t bad, you seem happy enough.” I guess my problem is I can fake it pretty well, pretending to be happy or healthy, while I’m sometimes overwhelmed with the stress my pulling causes.
But despite my best efforts to pretend I’m OK, I still pull. I can remember the few people who have asked me about it, bringing out my shame and confusion while I try to stop and be healthy. It’s so hard for me to talk about, but I don’t want to do this or be embarrassed anymore. I’m a graduate student, so my days are often stressful with many assignments. I want to be able to cope and overcome without pulling.
So, here I go. Panthera’s Pull Free A Thon begins today!
I’ve spent a few weeks reading some of your posts and becoming inspired by everyone’s honesty and willingness to fight the urges to pull. I want to stop pulling and I want to lose the shame, guilt, and anxiety it creates.
So, today I’m going to start my first ever Pull Free A Thon. I need to stop and am committed to stopping. And writing this here with your encouragement will certainly help.
I started pulling in middle school, maybe around age 13? I’m now 26. That means I’ve been pulling for half of my life. Ahh! I’ve never thought of it in that way! It frustrates me so much! I’ve always pulled my eyebrows, though as some of you described the urges come in waves of intensity. I’ve had some healthy growth periods, and then other times of shortening, thinning, to non-existent eyebrows. I hate the pictures of those times. I want to burn them all or deny them. Yet, I feel myself falling into another period of extended pulling and I want to stop it. I don’t want this any more.
In high school I met with a counselor, but I didn’t feel many benefits from the meetings. She focused on big events in my past, assuming they were the cause, rather than helping with just the daily urge to pull which is so hard to fight. She ended my meetings with her just saying, “A few hairs a day isn’t bad, you seem happy enough.” I guess my problem is I can fake it pretty well, pretending to be happy or healthy, while I’m sometimes overwhelmed with the stress my pulling causes.
But despite my best efforts to pretend I’m OK, I still pull. I can remember the few people who have asked me about it, bringing out my shame and confusion while I try to stop and be healthy. It’s so hard for me to talk about, but I don’t want to do this or be embarrassed anymore. I’m a graduate student, so my days are often stressful with many assignments. I want to be able to cope and overcome without pulling.
So, here I go. Panthera’s Pull Free A Thon begins today!
Lots of triggers. But the important thing is to be aware of our danger zones and just become aware in general, of how we are feeling, and what we are doing,and how we are coping / not coping. A matter of taking care of ourselves. I think us trichsters take care of everyone but ourselves.
You are on the right track Panthera, coming on the forum here for support, and working on becoming more conscious. I know how discouraging it can be - we all do. But let's not go there and like you say gain a better attitude. Wishing you some great days ahead .... xo
I've noticed that my pulling comes in waves, not evenly spaced. In a lull I feel I'm making progress, and at a new peak I fear I'm falling back into bad behaviors. Maybe I should try to change my perceptions, accept that the waves of urges are telling me about my stress and anxiety, and try to shorten their impact on me. Maybe I can push through to find my ideal, less impulsive self.
Your support certainly helps.
Sitting here and hoping you're all feeling aware and strong.
Sending you lots of strength and support!
Working to stay strong here, and sending out the same strength to all of you!
I've been feeling slowly better, though pulling a few everyday it's still not in big numbers, so I'm proud of that. I'll hold on to my slow improvements and keep trying to stay focused. :)
Creating heavy hands and a light heart. Sending love to you all, too.