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.
Hi everyone, my name is Margaret. I'm 18 and a senior in high school. I started pulling out my hair during my freshman year. I used to have long, really thick hair, and now it is noticeably thinner. With quarantine, I've been spending less time moving around, so I've begun to notice how much hair I'm pulling out each day. Being committed to college, I was able to cut back when I was still in class every day. I no longer felt stressed about my classes or school and was able to use being surrounded by my classmates to keep myself in check (I'm incredibly embarrassed) Now that I'm home, I'm back to pulling my hair often. I believe that being near my family, specifically my father and sister, is one of the biggest triggers in my life. Over this past summer, my mom and I lived alone, and I noticed that I pulled out my hair significantly less.
I'm here because I want to hold myself accountable as I try to be better. (I typed that with my hand on my hair lol). Currently, I am trying to just run my hands through my hair and not pull. When I get fixated on one strand, I let myself feel it for a while and then ask myself what I will accomplish from pulling out this one specific hair. I usually am able to let it go after asking myself this. However, I often don't notice when I'm pulling, and even when I run my hands through my hair, hair comes out. I'm going to try to use this forum as a way to hold myself accountable. I'm sorry in advance if I get annoying. I am currently wondering if anyone knows of any products that strengthen the scalp or promote hair growth? I've gotten good at not pulling out hairs that I deem "healthy"--, hairs that are thicker, so I'm looking for products that would promote that. If anyone has any advice, please reach out. Unfortunately, I would like to refrain from being there for people at this point, and I pull more when I am helping someone else (many of my friends have very potent anxiety disorders, and I often have to talk to them, which makes me worse). I'm genuinely proud of everyone here, and I wish I could help you with what you're experiencing.
How have you been doing the past couple of days? It is so remarkable that you took the initiative to reach out on here. I can tell how determined you are to make positive changes. It sounds like you have immense self-awareness in regards to what triggers your hair pulling, and how your current situation is impacting your anxiety and urges to pull.
Unfortunately, I am not aware of any specific products that help hair growth (maybe there are some out there, I just don't know of any personally). I think focusing on your nutrition can help - make sure you're eating enough, getting in a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables for vitamins and eating enough protein. Good nutrition can go a long way in helping out our bodies, including healthy hair.
Making changes is difficult, especially when the behaviors we are trying to change are habitual and engrained. And the current situation we are all in right now - that is presenting a whole set of challenges on its own. Change can take time, though it sounds like you are well on your way. I encourage you to be as compassionate and kind towards yourself as possible during this process. You are doing great!