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.

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Anxiety Disorders
/ Trichotillomania (Hair Pulling) Support Group

I just want it to end

greenelephant
greenelephant

Hey I'm new here. I just decided that my trich has become a serious issue that I need to face. I HATE talking about it and literally no one knows except my sister, but she kinda just makes fun of it... I wish trich was as normalized as much as GAD or nailbiting or even ED's. I'm only 17 and I'm in my senior year of high school. I usually pull from the sides of my head behind my ears. I don't really pull at the roots I just have an obsession with the split ends but it ends up in pulling the entire hair follicle out and leaving a pile of hair on the floor. It has become so paralyzing at times that I don't know how to handle it anymore. Sometimes it feels like I can't do anything else until I pull hair out which leads to me doing it for hours. I tried just taking small scissors to the split ends but it hasn't helped at all, if anything it might have made it worse.


Prom is coming up in a couple months and its starting to make me nervous about styling my hair. This might be the reason I don't go. It's already hard enough to not be able to put my hair in a high-ish bun since I have really short hair on the sides from the picking. I can barely put it in a low bun without all those hairs falling out of the bun. I try hairspraying them up and covering my bald spots but it eventually falls down. I can't even sit on the laptop and write a paper for my homework anymore because when I do, I just put my left hand up and start pulling my hair. Or when I'm driving, I'll do the same thing... one hand on the wheel, the other in my hair. It's embarrassing and I feel so ashamed about it. I can't ask my parents for help because they aren't the type to believe in this sort of thing. I dont know what to do anymore... I guess I'm just here as a last cry for help. I can't believe this sort of thing happened to me. I want it all to end.

Community LeaderMid
Mid
You will find a lot more activity on the main anxiety board which will give you additional ideas on how to work through all the things associated with this activity.
sunnyd55
sunnyd55
I went through this really bad in High School, too. Ended up pulling out half my hair. Needed to wear a wig for a few months until it grew out enough for a short pixie haircut. I was made fun of at school. Talking to a counselor a few times helped relieve the stress so I could stop.
Crassus
Crassus
For me I don't pull out my hair but sort of gather it in small clumps and snap it. Not really sure how to describe it. But I will do the same with any hair or hair like substance, and I have since the day I was born. My work place and home are littered with my hair and I don't even notice that I am doing it because its so natural. I totally get what you are talking about wit driving. I have found that when I am more anxious that I do it more often and more aggressively. I am not sur if it is a nervous tick or some genetic left over in my personality. When you find yourself doing it a lot try and give something else for you hand to do instead if you can. Perhaps a stress ball, holding on to your clothing, anything that you can actively do to prevent the inactive part of your brain that craves the feeling associated with touching your hair.
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