Depression Support Group

Depression is a real and debilitating condition that is often misunderstood by family and friends. Its meaning can range from a prolonged period of sadness to an actual mental illness with specific symptoms. Find and share experiences with others who are going through the same struggles.

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deleted_user 05/09/2008

Okay, so first of all let me tell you this is very hard to tell anyone, and I really just want to know if im alone or not, and if anyone knows an idea so get me to stop!!

I do something so stupid and it should be so easy to stop. For years now off and on (more on than off) I have had an obsession with splitting my split ends on my hair. I pick and pick and pick untill my hair just gets ruined. If I cant find split ends to split I pull out hair underneath by my neck one by one. Or on the side of my head behind my ears and hair line. I know its sounds so stupid and pathetic but I cant stop. I try and put my hair up, never works. I wind up pulling chunks of hair down out of the pony to look for ends that are split or peices to pull out.

the reason im asking for help is because my boyfreind and family have noticed the spots of hair missing and they keep catching me and get mad. Its so frustrating and im to scared to admit to them i cant stop. Of all things in the world why is this a problem for me?? My head hurts and I miss the thick hair I can grow. I know that im ruining it but .... shit. If I tell them im scared they are going to admit me again or make me get back on my meds becuse I know ill just sound like a crazy person to them. Maybe i am freaking crazy. God I hate myself when I read what I write because the truth sucks.

deleted_user 05/09/2008

Try this room...they will understand

http://dailystrength.org/c/Trichotillomania-Hair-Pulling/support-group

deleted_user 05/09/2008

Nope, not crazy, it's an actual oc behavior with a very long name I can't spell. You should mention it to your doc.

deleted_user 05/09/2008

i think there is a name for that ..i am not real sure. there might be a group on here for it too ..maybe someone else will reply to this. try to be nice to yourself

deleted_user 05/09/2008

Yes! Reply #1...someone can spell it

deleted_user 05/09/2008

O M G! Seriously im crying like a baby right now. I dont even know what to say. All this time I could of just got the courage and asked about it. I dont know if i feel better knowing that there is a name for it or not..... i feel so damn hopeless.

Juice 05/09/2008

the truth is also hard to face. it's a recognised condition, and one you can get help with. if people are noticing perhaps it's time to bite the bullet and get some professional help. taking meds is nothing to fear, nothing to feel ashamed about.
it's not stupid, and it's not pathetic;it's a compulsion. hugs.

deleted_user 05/09/2008

you have trichotillomania.

so do I. :o)

my hair does not have patches missing, but it is reduced by probably almost 50%. I used to have a nice full head of wavy auburn hair.

When I wear a ponytail I dont pull.
I think there are meds for it.....

try and explain to your family what it is.

good luck, you are not alone.

deleted_user 05/09/2008

you're not crazy for doing this. lots of people have little things they do but it is usually associated with some deeper issue...to find out what it is well i think you should start off by analyzing what type of atmosphere are you in when you do it. like do you do it when you feel a certain way or do you do it in addition to another activity. find out what else is associated with your doing this and then when you start to do those things try to be extra attentive to not doing it.

sja 05/09/2008

Great post, stephanie! ttaarraa, I seriously wonder if that is a form of OCD, which I also have. I don't pull out hair, but I check and nail bite. Don't be embarrassed!

deleted_user 05/09/2008

Good luck to ya:)

deleted_user 05/09/2008

thank you all so much. WOW is all I have to say right now. all this time I just needed to ask..... wow. I joined the group and im going to read the posts and search more online about it. I dont have the guts to post there just yet, but i will some day. At least I know now. I am going to find a site about it, and if it explains it well I am going to leave that page up for ben when he gets home. I cant just tell him, i dont know why. I am praying that he wont confront me just yet. I just want him to know and wait for me to be ready to talk. I cant take much more of the hair checks. He gets so mad when he finds clumps and sees it on my clothes or on the bed. I have tried to hide it but sometimes I just do it without even knowing im doing it and i dont realize to get rid of the hair.

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