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

line_light96 10/04/2016

I started pulling when i was 9 years old. It all started with my eyelashes, then it moved to my eyebrows, then to the hair on my head. When I was in the 4th grade, I was bullied a lot at school because of my hair pulling and the kids did not want to hang out with a girl who pulls her own hair. My hair pulling got worse in middle school to the point of where I bearly had any hair at all. I looked like a recovering cancer patient. I stopped pulling all together once I got to high school and for the next 5 years, i did not pull out a single hair and i was proud of myself. But recently, through the stress of college, social life, etc. I have sadly relapsed on my hair pulling :'( I am not proud that i relapsed because i've done so good and i thought it was all behind me. But it's now gotten to the point where my mom is suggesting to get a wig for me. I feel so embarassed to even think about that because of how the kids at school are going to treat me. They know my hair, but they don't know whats under my headbands. I'm really scared to go through with the wig idea. What should I do?

Redblack 10/14/2016

We have a similar story line_light96. I am still battling this disorder. I am observing what makes me hair pulling. My scalp is quite allergic to certain food. There are times I pull and sometimes not for days. It frustrates and ridicules me :(

Hair products would be helpful. But in my case, my hair would grow back anymore. I am still hoping to find a solution and still seeking hair specialist for help.

lucky 10/16/2016

Hi. I'm so sorry you are going through this. I have been pulling for about 20 years. I have had periods where I don't pull but it's probably been a year since I haven't pulled at all. I recently shaved my head thinking I could start over with no bald spots. I wear a wig! It's pretty hard to put it on every day, especially in the summer, but then it's not so bad.. but I hate that I get use to it! I'd rather have my bald spots back, because now I'm completely bald! I know no one really understands. Sometimes I think others are more uncomfortable looking at me then I am. If you think a wig will make you feel better then try it. They make nice ones, and a hair stylist can modify it for you. I know I didn't give you a solution but I'm thinking of you. If you can put together a few pull free days,that's great! Keep trying, and so will I!

ClosetPuller 10/18/2016

Hey, I have been a puller since before I can remember. One thing I have tried, and I hate doing it, is to place each hair I pull in front of me so that I can see how many I have pulled. It is a reminder of what I am doing and it definitely makes me stop. I also go through periods of remission and restarting. It is especially bad in college (I am in nursing school). Do you think you may have anxiety too? I think the two diseases are closely related. I have anxiety and I started Citalopram which helped a lot, but I still pull. I have heard that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy works well... Try the wig but don't let it define you. Don't tell yourself that you can pull all you want now because no one will see what's under the wig. If you pull out a hair, know that it is going to be ok and try to stop at one rather than continuing. But don't berate yourself for it. It is a disease, and it doesn't define you. It may always be a daily struggle but we are better than our disease.

I also try to ask myself when I start to pull: What is this helping? Am I gaining anything from this? After I pull the next hair, will I feel any better? Always, the answer is no and so that helps me to logically think through my impulse and control it better.

I hope this helps! Be strong and love yourself! <3

Join the Conversation