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.
I am so happy to have found this group and thanks to everyone for sharing (+/-).
My story:
I'm not sure when I began pulling, but it was between the ages of 5-8. Though I'm no psychologist, I'm 99% sure my pulling began as a result of the stress in living environment.
Little girls don't know what stress is, but we do know when Mommy is sick and Daddy is sad. My mother was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer when I was 2. The specialists punctured her lung during treatment and she suffered from a range of complications as a result. My father had a hard time dealing and turned to gambling.
So, the pulling began and has continued to be a coping mechanism through the various challenges I've faced.
Surprisingly, my father passed before my mother, when I was 11, immediately followed by my grandmother (who I was close to). I lost my mother my last year in high school and finally my grandfather during my senior year in college.
Pulling had become habitual; an expected part of life. I tried stopping by shaving my hair, wearing wigs and finally purchasing a lace front wig (aka Beyonce's hair). My hair grew the most then (validating the post that our follicles are not dead). Of course I started pulling again within 2 months. I was treating Trich which is a symptom of my disposition. I know that I suffer from anxiety and Trich is a manifestation of how I feel.
I now have children however that did not stop me from pulling in front of them. The pinnacle came from two things 1) I pulled non-stop even though I didn't want to and found that there is no magic hair that will stop the feeling 2) my three-year old stated "Off hair Mommy!"
Again, I'm no psychologist.
I chose to 'reveal' in August 2014 shaving and wearing my hair out in public (cringe). That was a first for me, embarrassing, but then I realized that it was only me who felt like it was a big deal. I guess I'm vain. I've had to shave my hair a couple of times since then. Most recently, I shaved my hair in mid-March and I'm at the oh-so-tempting length.
So I would say I'm about three weeks into my PULL FREE-A-THON. Prayers and I wish you all the best!
My story:
I'm not sure when I began pulling, but it was between the ages of 5-8. Though I'm no psychologist, I'm 99% sure my pulling began as a result of the stress in living environment.
Little girls don't know what stress is, but we do know when Mommy is sick and Daddy is sad. My mother was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer when I was 2. The specialists punctured her lung during treatment and she suffered from a range of complications as a result. My father had a hard time dealing and turned to gambling.
So, the pulling began and has continued to be a coping mechanism through the various challenges I've faced.
Surprisingly, my father passed before my mother, when I was 11, immediately followed by my grandmother (who I was close to). I lost my mother my last year in high school and finally my grandfather during my senior year in college.
Pulling had become habitual; an expected part of life. I tried stopping by shaving my hair, wearing wigs and finally purchasing a lace front wig (aka Beyonce's hair). My hair grew the most then (validating the post that our follicles are not dead). Of course I started pulling again within 2 months. I was treating Trich which is a symptom of my disposition. I know that I suffer from anxiety and Trich is a manifestation of how I feel.
I now have children however that did not stop me from pulling in front of them. The pinnacle came from two things 1) I pulled non-stop even though I didn't want to and found that there is no magic hair that will stop the feeling 2) my three-year old stated "Off hair Mommy!"
Again, I'm no psychologist.
I chose to 'reveal' in August 2014 shaving and wearing my hair out in public (cringe). That was a first for me, embarrassing, but then I realized that it was only me who felt like it was a big deal. I guess I'm vain. I've had to shave my hair a couple of times since then. Most recently, I shaved my hair in mid-March and I'm at the oh-so-tempting length.
So I would say I'm about three weeks into my PULL FREE-A-THON. Prayers and I wish you all the best!
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My day...today...misplaced my debit card...didn't realize it until I got to the register after shopping to a full cart. Used a different debit card and pulled apart everything looking for missing debit card before I left parking lot. Got home, dropped keys. So now I have a missing debit card, missing keys. A full cartload to unload and put away. I got everything put away.Dumped purse for a...
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I don't really know how to label this but I having a rough week and I can't say it's one thing.... I have a lot on my plate which is nothing new and I try to cope in many positive ways and do but I still have my moments.My kids more so my daughters talk to me about everything which I know it's cause of comfort and we are close.... however I really struggle with the venting about their dad which...
I think you said it perfectly with "Trich is a manifestation of how I feel". Preventing pulling with barriers and distractions are just tools - the real key is dealing with the triggers that cause us to want to pull. It sounds like you already have a handle on that!
You're right about the fact that you feel your hair is a bigger deal than anyone else would. it's not vanity; it's just completely understandable self-consciousness. As your hairs gets to a stage where it becomes tempting to pull again, are there any barriers you could use to cover it? Would tracking your progress day by day with a calender or an app be useful?
I am glad that I can distract my fingers with Daily Strength. I am praying to make it through this day. I generally use a scarf around the house, but then even that is ultra-sensitive to my scalp tight now and I'd end up pushing it up anyway. So I am acknowledging the feeling and brushing my hair if I'm at the point where I need the stimulation.
I am using Daily Strength as a way to track my progress. Thanks for your support!
Thursday and Friday were not good (taxes!) and I broke my streak, however, I did well the past two days. My partner and I spoke about purchasing another wig, but I've decided against it.
I went out and watched the planes take off at the airport. At home, I made sure to stick to the routine; thankfully, I've not had to stay posted by the door waiting for the kids to go to sleep. Now I am free to act on the things I've been needing to do this evening.
Prayers and best to all!
Yesterday was a pull free day! My goal is to rack up more good days than bad. I feel like I have more control over my pulling than I ever have in the past. Posting here helps keep me aware of my actions during the day.
Prayers and best to all!
I never thought too much about how/ why I started pulling , but reading your post has really helped me identify this - so thank you !
well done on your abstinence so far .. and here's to the next 24 hours .
keep up the good work . :)