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.

1,293 Members

4,912 Posts

0 Online

Mystique18 04/11/2013

I've been pulling for around 5, 6 years now, with the longest break between pulls being 21 days (which I was so proud of!) but then I was watching a film and pulled a strand and all I worked for callapsed since then (around half a year ago) I have pulled constantly. Before I pulled from a wide area so the only sign was the short hairs where my hair grew back. Now I'm pulling in one line all along my crown. The whole of my parting has been widend by at least 2cm, the widest being around the length of an ikea pencil (I don't have a ruler handy and this is from memory). This area is entirely bald but for a single clump in the centre, which I don't believe will last much longer. The base of my parting has also gone bald over the past few weeks.

I feel no pain from me pulling my hair, even huge clumps.I WANT to stop but I can't seem to stop, I'll just think 'I shouldn't be doing this, put your hand down, stop!' but I don't remove my hand.

I'm begininning to lose motivation to stop and that terrifys me. Even now my Mum will ask me if I pulled and will say no, even though I know it is getting worse and that I can't hide this from people much longer.

Please help.

deleted_user 04/11/2013

I know its not the best advice but if u can't stop yourself, force yourself to do it from a more discrete area, like behind your ear. Pulling from the top is so hard to hide. I pull from my double crown at the moment, its getting very thin, I'm so angry with myself. Distraction is key, mental distraction, not fiddling with something different coz nothing satisfies enough. U have to be so distracted u don't even think about it. Good luck to u.

deleted_user 04/11/2013

I 'm sorry you are going through these feelings right now, it is hard to stop once started because the area is being stimulated. If you can put an ice pack on the area to numb the crawling feeling and try to redirect your pulling even for a day the crawly feeling will go away. Being aware is key to changing the behavior patterns that you've started. Try to change your patterns daily by not sitting in the same places where you pull, not watching TV or films that make you anxious and try to find more things that will relax you.
Have you looked into CBT therapy? This is cognitive behavioral therapy, this will give you support in depression and trich. Having someone to support you on a continuous basis I think would be a great thing especially when you said you've given up. Hugs.

deleted_user 04/13/2013

Nabby1 this is great advise

Join the Conversation