Trichotillomania (Hair Pulling) Support Group
Impulsive control disorder is the inability to resist an urge, temptation, or impulse, even when it may cause negative effects to the self or to others. If you or a loved one suffers from impulsive contorl disorder, join the community to find support and share your challenges with others who know what you're going through.
For the past 10 years, I never realized what I was doing. I've been pulling my eyebrows, eyelashes and leg hair out since I was 12 or 13.
There are patches on my legs where the hair has not grown for years because I pulled it out so consistently.
I never, ever thought there was something wrong with me, until I was looking up some self help articles on anxiety. (I've been taking lexapro for 4 years for anxiety.)
And trichotillomania came up. "Irresistible compulsion to pull hair from eyebrows, eyelashes, head, legs, arms, and pubic areas."
And I immediately thought, "Holy crap, I've been doing that for over 10 years!"
I'm so ashamed. Now I can really see the damage. My eyelashes aren't growing in as much anymore, my eyebrows have to be absolutely perfect, and the patches on my legs where the hair hasn't grown in years.
I'm 22 years old and not sure what to do. What do I do?
There are patches on my legs where the hair has not grown for years because I pulled it out so consistently.
I never, ever thought there was something wrong with me, until I was looking up some self help articles on anxiety. (I've been taking lexapro for 4 years for anxiety.)
And trichotillomania came up. "Irresistible compulsion to pull hair from eyebrows, eyelashes, head, legs, arms, and pubic areas."
And I immediately thought, "Holy crap, I've been doing that for over 10 years!"
I'm so ashamed. Now I can really see the damage. My eyelashes aren't growing in as much anymore, my eyebrows have to be absolutely perfect, and the patches on my legs where the hair hasn't grown in years.
I'm 22 years old and not sure what to do. What do I do?
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I did the dumbest thing today. I charged my earbuds, unplugged the block and put the block in my little bag instead of the earbuds. I wasn't happy about that when I got to the gym. What a dummy!
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Years ago, I won a mirrored armoire from my job. It's in my bedroom but I rarely stand in front of it. Yesterday, I had to have a dexascan done so I had to change into a gown. There was a full length mirror in the changing room. I'm aware that I gained 5 to 7 pounds over the last year from cheating on Keto but I didn't know what it looked like. It was a reality check.
Don't be so hard on yourself! Trich is more common than you think.
Your hair might grow back, but it takes several months of zero pulling. I pulled for 29 years (!!!) and had bald patches all over my head. I stopped in April and it's only now, 8 months later, that I'm seeing re-growth. The hair grew back white, but I just had it dyed and it looks ok. So there's hope for you!
I recommend you read "The Hair Pulling Problem" by Dr. Fred Penzel. There's a lot of good advice and information.
Nothing to be ashamed of, it's a medical condition.
There are a lot of techniques to try, it will take trial and error to find the ones that work for you.
Some of the techniques on the anxiety discussion board will also help you find the "trigger" for pulling.
You are in the right place with a lot of support!