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.
Just found this on the other site:
"One of the most common problems we come across when we decide we are ready to become pull free, is what to do with our hands. It is important to try and establish an alternative behavior to replace those times we would normally sit and pull.
So what can we do ? Well quite a lot actually. Sometimes the simplest of things work wonders. A lot of people find they pull more when watching tv or on the phone. Often these situations can't be avoided, so having something else in place helps. For example :-
~~wearing gloves
~~plasters (band aids) around your fingers
~~play with Play Doh, worry beads, pipe cleaners
~~wet your hair
~~keep the fingers moist with moisturizing lotion
~~wear a hat
When the urges are great it is a good idea to take yourself away from the situation. Distract the mind as well as your hands. eg:-
~~go for a walk, it doesn't matter where.
~~why not go and build a snowman in the winter
~~or splash in the puddles when it rains, your inner child will love it
~~do yoga, relaxation exercises.
~~take a bath with lots of bubbles, pamper yourself
~~find a new hobby, cross stitching, candle making, bracelet making. anything that keeps the hands occupied.
~~pick a subject you would like to know more about and research it on the internet
~~pick an object in the room and list 20 things it can be used for (I include the kids in this one)
~~post on the message board. Interacting with others is great therapy.
It is also important to remember that most of us will have setbacks. It doesn't make you a weak person. It is part of the learning and healing process we all have to go through. If you do slip and pull again, put it behind you. It is in the past. Forgive yourself and start afresh. Stay positive. Reward yourself for the times you do not pull, avoid punishment for the times you do.
These are just a few suggestions. They will not work for everyone, but never give up hope. If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. There are more hints and tips in the forums so pop in and have a look. Together we can stop Trich in it's tracks.
"One of the most common problems we come across when we decide we are ready to become pull free, is what to do with our hands. It is important to try and establish an alternative behavior to replace those times we would normally sit and pull.
So what can we do ? Well quite a lot actually. Sometimes the simplest of things work wonders. A lot of people find they pull more when watching tv or on the phone. Often these situations can't be avoided, so having something else in place helps. For example :-
~~wearing gloves
~~plasters (band aids) around your fingers
~~play with Play Doh, worry beads, pipe cleaners
~~wet your hair
~~keep the fingers moist with moisturizing lotion
~~wear a hat
When the urges are great it is a good idea to take yourself away from the situation. Distract the mind as well as your hands. eg:-
~~go for a walk, it doesn't matter where.
~~why not go and build a snowman in the winter
~~or splash in the puddles when it rains, your inner child will love it
~~do yoga, relaxation exercises.
~~take a bath with lots of bubbles, pamper yourself
~~find a new hobby, cross stitching, candle making, bracelet making. anything that keeps the hands occupied.
~~pick a subject you would like to know more about and research it on the internet
~~pick an object in the room and list 20 things it can be used for (I include the kids in this one)
~~post on the message board. Interacting with others is great therapy.
It is also important to remember that most of us will have setbacks. It doesn't make you a weak person. It is part of the learning and healing process we all have to go through. If you do slip and pull again, put it behind you. It is in the past. Forgive yourself and start afresh. Stay positive. Reward yourself for the times you do not pull, avoid punishment for the times you do.
These are just a few suggestions. They will not work for everyone, but never give up hope. If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. There are more hints and tips in the forums so pop in and have a look. Together we can stop Trich in it's tracks.
We have cut her hair off before. This helped, of course, it looks ok on a young child.
However, we are at a point, where the doll is not as effective as in the past. Her beautiful hair is gone on one side of her head. It is so sad and makes me cry.
Here are some of my war strategies against trich for study times:
-taking a shower break
-applying deep conditioner
-bandaids on finger tips
-eating pomegranates (you have to use your fingers to pull out the fruit- it helps I swear)
-sitting on my hands when the urges are especially strong
-exercise or stretch (even if for a few minutes)
-slathering on lotion and wearing gloves
-wearing a bandana
-wear a braclet that makes noise so you are aware when your hand strays up to your head (also you can spritz perfume on your wrists to smell your hand when it goes up to your hair)
-deep breathing (there is a simple one called a body scan that u can google and is easy and effective to do)
-change the room your studying in (if possible)
-study in public (i possible)
-have something you like to play with in your hand available at all times
-give yourself a manicure (you wont want to smudge nails) if urge comes back, paint on another coat of topcoat or clear polish (i've actually had nights where I ended up with about twenty coats of polish on!LOL Just take it off in the moring.
-try to avoid too much caffeine before bedtime
http://dailystrength.org/c/Trichotillomania-Hair-Pulling/advice/156895-how-do-prevent-yourself
Finding something to do... beside pull... to get yourself out of the situation. leave the room... do some crunches... wash your hands... draw... rip paper... pull weeds... clean.. don't look in the mirror...
Oh yeah! Cleaning helps me a lot!! I super cleaned the bathroom yesterday, becuase to me.. it was soooo gross. Maybe it's just a way of transfering the trich to something else... but at least this something else is a good thing! :) I run the vacuum like 2 times a day, because I hate the crud on the floor!! :)
hugs and kisses