I have an insane obsession with the blackheads (and other pores) on my nose and chin, and I pull from my scalp occasionally (mostly in the summertime) which makes the skin flakey and dandruff-like, and then I pick at that until it bleeds, scabs over, and I pick the scabs...endless cycle. I don't know how it ever heals up. But for some reason, I've never considered myself a skin picker, or a dermatillomaniac...weird. I guess I've just never seen it as an obsession, and the places that I do it from are so small that they're barely noticeable. Although I've had people ask questions on a couple of bad occasions. I guess trich just has such control over my life that I don't see anything else that I do as nearly as big of a problem as lash pulling.

No I don't really pick. I am however a biter. When I manage to control my pulling I bite the inside of my cheeks and all around my fingers. When I do well with the biting the pulling gets worse..

I wish I had some advice to give you on stopping both at the same time. Just be aware that you're doing it and try and stop yourself whenever you start.. also try to be aware when you are doing things like watching tv or reading as that's when the habits tend to get worse.

Good luck... I know how hard it is to stop 2 habits at once.. hell its hard enough stopping one!!!!!!

((HUGS))

As I experience what you are talking about, it took a combination of medication, journaling, using barriers, learning the triggers, and understanding the connection of the anxiety and trich as it affects your well-being.
In order to stop this vicious cycle, it will take a lot of work, and you will have to keep tracking what works, what doesn't, and make your way through all the things, one thing at a time.
First, pick a blackhead tool (it has two sides, one is flat and wide to press open and remove blackheads, the other side is thin and will take a oil clogged pimple clean straight up without damaging the skin) to use to help you keep grooming in a safer manner. By adding this barrier, it will allow you to see the actual blemish, mark, different shade on your face, and take care of it, and just that.
Make sure you track times, dates, to help you with the other part of this pattern.
For your scalp, find a brush that gives you the sensation of keeping your scalp clean, clear, and comfortable. When you need to scratch the itch on your scalp, use the brush as a barrier.
What this does is remove the physical connection between the trich and the anxiety. It does not remove the urge, just reduces the impact of the urge based on anxiety.
Your anxiety level is already in acute stages based upon your statement here.
You are a beautiful person, and are stronger than you realize!
Welcome to DS, and to beating trich!
You can do this!
Hope this helps, and you are definitely not alone with this!

Thanks for all the replies, guys! I had actually never heard of a blackhead remover tool, but I'm definitely going to have to get one! I need to find a really scratchy hairbrush, that makes me feel like I get all the dead skin off, but I don't think most people want that kind of sensation from their hairbrush, so I might have to modify an existing one or just look for a long time.

I found my blackhead tool at the local walmart store in the cosmetic section.
The stiff brush I went to the outdoor section, and checked through the garden scrub tools and found a stiff brush that works for me. A friend found their stiff brush in the auto clean section, so be open to looking in unusual places if a normal brush does not give you the sensation you're needing to relieve the itch.
Best wishes!!