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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Coffeeallday 07/28/2018

Hi, I am new to the group and I find strength in you all!

I have had trich for about 50 years. It started when my mother remarried to an alcoholic. I was 12. At this point, there was just extreme interest in split ends. I remember sitting in my second floor bedroom, listening to the chaotic fighting downstairs. Focusing on something other than my terrible family life soothed me.

I progressed to pulling after my divorce, at age 26. Again, it soothed me when I felt powerless and that things were out of my control. Pulling always comes in waves for me when I anticipate a stressful life event. My family is totally dismayed by this-as if I am somehow defective because I can't control my "impulses." Overall, I am a happy person with a successful job. It is difficult, when the pulling cycle starts, to hide the results. Hair pieces, wigs, eye brow pencils..etc. I don't feel sorry for myself, but I feel frustrated that sometimes trich overcomes me. I am one that feels for different textured hairs to pull. The only thing that has deterred my so far is to cut my fingernails very short or to wear long, fake nails. That way, I can't feel the texture. I just realized today that I haven't pulled in 2 months. I am having ortho surgery in mid August, which is a huge stressor.

This lull in pulling has me puzzled. This upcoming stressor would usually be a huge trigger. Has anyone experienced something like this?

Sorry for the long post! I would also like to send love and encouragement to the young posters on this forum. It is wonderful that there is a forum that fosters acceptance.

Shamebegone32 08/14/2018

Hello, Good luck on your surgery this month, hope all goes well....I'm so glad to come across your post, I can relate so much to you, I have been pulling on and off for 30 years now. And just like you, stress causes me to start pulling, I start by feeling the texture of my hair and then pulling individually strands...I catch myself most of the time, but I just can't stop. Through the years I've learned that being around others decreases my stress and causes embarrassment so I don't pull, however, when alone, I can pull for hours. If I maintain my hair wet and add products to it like hairspray and mousse, it changes the texture so I don't pull. I just joined this this group today as my pulling has been getting worse, I hope this support group can help me as I refuse to take any medications, I just want to feel like I can do this naturally.

Phoebe13 09/06/2018

I have also been pulling since I was about 12, for about 50 years. Sometimes it is really bad, and then I go through lulls where I have very little urge to pull. I have been through a fairly long lull recently, but yesterday I started to pull again, and I realize how easy it is to slip back into it. Washing my hair really helps. Hair products actually make it worse for me.
I have transferred to picking and digging at my nails, Where does this urge come from? I don't know. Stress can be a trigger, but it isn't always. I have come to recognize that I like to be active, and boredom can be a trigger. Knitting really helps, as it keeps my hands busy. My ABC's: Be Aware. Have your Barriers handy. Stay Committed to not pulling.

Good luck to both of you.

Phoebe13 09/06/2018

Join the Beating Trich Group. Lots of support there.

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