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.

171 Members
609 Posts
0 Online
Anxiety Disorders
/ Beating Trich Support Group

Trish's Pull-Free-a-Thon.... ROUND THREE!!!

BooYah
BooYah
This is Trish Tolamania from trichworld if you don't know (yes, I wrote the alias trying to be funny).

I had one pull free streak last November/December, the longest one I remember having ever. Checking in with this community was such a huge help, in order to achieve that. In February I started pulling again and, after a few lame attempts to slow it down, I gave up altogether and just started pulling again at will.

Now it's July 1, I am 3 days pull free and I just want to take it DAY BY DAY and get involved in this community again! I hadn't logged in for so long, when I did log in last week, I started crying hysterically. Isn't that funny?

My main goal right now is to reach 7 days pull free, then buy myself some really expensive hair product as a reward. But I know my main reward for stopping will just be FEELING GOOD AND NOT HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT IT SO MUCH!
mandapanda89
mandapanda89
Jesden, is that different from a normal hair brush with stiffer spikes? I have really curly hair so I never actually brush it at all unless I am trying to eliminate urges, haha.
The wire head massager is AMAZING....I keep it on my coffee table at all times, for when I am at my computer and get restless hands. My friends saw me buying at a Chinese night market and were so confused...haha, I told them it was a gift for someone else.
BooYah
BooYah
Wow I think I am totally going to get one of those.... thanks guys!! At this point I'll try ANYTHING.

I had a good day Sunday (only 5 hairs pulled!) but today it was incredible mindless pulling again. yuck. Too depressing to think about. But like my counselor told me, I need to "refrain judgement" during this time. By Saturday I will be all done!
mandapanda89
mandapanda89
It will be easier after Saturday! Think of how you can motivate and reward yourself once Saturday comes.
Phoebe13
Phoebe13
Being a student when you are a puller is so difficult. I sympathize. All that stress, concentration and anxiety. I get what you say about procrastinating and not exercising as well. It is hard!! Try to just get the job done, you will do it well, and you will feel better. You know exercise will make you feel better. Just do it.

It will be over soon!!!!
BooYah
BooYah
It will be over, but all the damage I have done to my head will still be there for MONTHS. Man, is it easy to get caught in a slump. YUCK. I know that if I really wanted to, I could resist my urges even though I am stressed out, the problem is that I DON'T want to. I like pulling right now and it feels good. I need to NOT like pulling... or at least remember all the reasons why I DON'T like it. UUGGH!

Thank you for your support everyone during this week of suckitude.
mandapanda89
mandapanda89
Being stuck in a slump right now during this crazy stressful time is normal. Saturday is almost here! Just make sure you have a plan for getting back on track once all the stress is over. You are totally right about needing to remind yourself why pulling is not the best thing to be doing to handle stress.

Just hang in there a few more days!
BooYah
BooYah
On vacation. YAAAY! Perfect time to catch up on my to-do list L-o-l.

Today is my 3rd day pull free. It's relatively easy for me to be pull free when I'm not crazy stressed, the real challenge is learning how to keep my hands down when I *am* crazy stressed.

I might make an appointment to get my hair cut in 3 weeks because the ends are getting a bit ratty. I wish I could go in there and be able to tell the hairdresser that I have all this marvelous regrowth! Sigh, maybe someday.
mandapanda89
mandapanda89
Yay, vacation! Enjoy your trip! Where did you go?

Day 3 is awesome! Starting a pull free streak now when you are less stressed will make it easier to stay that way later on!
confidenticandoit
confidenticandoit
Oof I so know what you mean. Of course we could stop but pulling is just such a good distraction from the negative feelings. And it's SO hard to be pull free while studying. Errrgh. And it so sucks that the damage lasts for sooo long and that the regrowth is soooo tempting to pull out.

Hey I just read your latest posts and YAY 3 days pull free. So much easier when you're feeling positive. I totally know what you mean about wanting to brag about regrowth to your hairdresser. Me too!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Enjoy your vacation! 3 days is great!! The first day or two is always the hardest for me. I guess it takes me a while to convince my brain to recognize that my hand is moving up to pull and to stop it before it happens! I hope your vacation brings you refreshment and many pull free days to build on.
Phoebe13
Phoebe13
I think the only thing you can do during those times of stress is to use barriers. Sitting on my hands, or clasping them works best for me right now.

Break the link. xo
confidenticandoit
confidenticandoit
How ya doing?
BooYah
BooYah
Nothing but bad news. Since I had those 3 days pull free I've been mindlessly pulling ever since.

So much for building up a nice pull free streak during my vacation. UGH! I need to talk to my therapist this week about what other strategies I need to try. I'm going freaking bald!!
mandapanda89
mandapanda89
Focus on building up your awareness. Sometimes a few days of lots of barriers is enough to stop subconscious pulling from happening.

I hope you're enjoying your vacation!!
BooYah
BooYah
Vacation ends tomorrow, I'm absolutely dreading going back to work, and I have stayed up too late watching TV as a way to avoid it. Ugh.

Pulled out a disgusting amount of hair today. Just so bummed with myself right now and not looking forward to going to this stupid workplace tomorrow.