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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mctherapper17 02/18/2019

Hi guys. I'm new here and seeking help. This past week has been extremely difficult for me. I'm 15 and been dealing with this for about a year and a half. I'm very anxious and stressed. I have been pulling my hair as long as I've had my anxiety which was back in January 2017. I am looking for people to talk to that actually understand and for advice. I am on sertraline which is supposed to help with the pulling but that isn't working and at this point I am desperate. If any of you guys have any ideas. Please I'm begging you. I will try anything at this point.

trickster2016 02/21/2019

Hello mctheraper. Sorry to see nobody has answered you. Our forum used to be really active a few years back, and I hope it will return to that way. Thank you for reaching out for support and help. I was just reading up on body focused repetitive behaviour, which includes trichotillomania. (bfrb) One thing that can help is cognitive behavioural therapy. cbt) I am going to try this myself. It is offered through psychologists and counsellors but thought I would try it on my own first. Trich is triggered by anxiety/ trauma/ depression. It soon becomes an addictive habit. I have had years of not pulling, or pulling very little, but in the last 14 yrs it has been a mostly pulling time. ( from scalp) Some people pull their eyebrow hairs out or other areas. My trich first appeared at age 9, when experiencing loss, abandonment, trauma, and abuse. These feelings/experiences heavily resurfaced about 14 yrs ago, and started the trich up again full force. It helps to have someone to share with like a support group, or a fellow trich person who understands like no other can. Feel free to add me as a friend on here. I will send you a friend request. We can private message each other if you like and help and support each other. I got myself some of those squishy toys and balls that are soft and squishy and am going to use those in my cognitive behaviour therapy. I will squeeze one of those when I feel the urge to pull , or when I feel my scalp itching/tingling. In the link below it mentions to use an alternative to the pulling such as clenching your fists, sitting on your hands, etc, so I will try squishing a squishy ball or toy. There are some pretty cool ones. I have a ball that is see through and has little gel beads inside, so fun to look at too, and a great stress reliever. https://www.anxietycanada.com/adults/habit-reversal-training-bfrbs

anabels 02/28/2019

Thank you for having the courage to reach out. I know that you may be feeling ashamed, but please know, you are not alone. I am eighteen. I first started pulling in fourth grade. I am now a freshman in college, and have had to tattoo my eyebrows on because there is no hair left there. I've tried medications that are supposed to help, as well as many DBT skills.
I haven't used the 12 steps for recovery. I have been in therapy, and continue to seek support.
I did use KEEN bracelets, and those have helped a lot. The bracelet vibrates any time it senses you reaching to pull. The set up process just takes some time. Also, making sure you have something to play with in your hands is always a good idea. Playdough, slime, marbles, erasers, stress balls, etc.

Feel free to reach out at any time. I am here supporting you!

Have faith, and be kind to yourself.

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