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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/ Trichotillomania (Hair Pulling) Support Group

This is getting old

emmy1z3
emmy1z3

Apparently, I've had Trich since I was 3, my Aunt and Grandma remember seeing me pull at my hair when I was still toddling. I'm 19 now and the hair pulling is...better. My new coping mechanism is aggressive nail picking to the point where I am bleeding. 3 days ago when I noticed I was picking at my nails, I stopped right away, only to notice a minute later that I was back at my hair again. I've worked with an OCD specialist to try and end this hair pulling, but it wasn't as successful as I'd hoped and I've been too scared o try a new therapist. What I did get out of the experience though was I am now often able to notice when I'm doing it. I can't yet decipher what it is that causes the hair pulling at the time, but the fact that I'm noticing when it happens is HUGE. If you're wondering where to start to end your Trich, just will yourself to notice one time and then go from there

Rima
Rima
Hey Emmy,
I would like to be friends with you because I think having a support system apart from family is also a little necessary. And who else would be better than someone who knows and suffers from the same thing!
trickster2016
trickster2016
Hello Emmy123. Welcome to our forum. Glad to know your hair pulling is better these days than in the past. Trich starts as a reaction to trauma, stress,depression etc but soon becomes a deeply ingrained habit, I would say an addiction. And yes people with addictions tend to go from one thing to another. I pick at my scalp as well as pull out hair from the same area. The pulling is the major problem though and it has become so bad that I am basically bald and I have to keep wearing a wig longer than I planned. I have had times where I had a thick full head of hair, and other times where I struggle and have to wear a wig. For the past 14 yrs I have really struggled and have worn a wig for most of that time. Recently I have had very bad pulling sprees, and last night I was up all night doing so and now I feel very sad, as I have lost all the new growth I had. I also am addicted to facebook and spend many hours on there. My plan starting today is to come on this forum regularly for support, and try to get exercise regularly (right now I get none), get more sleep, and way less computer. Certain things are real triggers for us, and for me it is being alone in the bathroom or at the computer at night, especially when tired, upset or anxious. So basically I am going to work hard at taking better care of myself, and of course not pulling is a priority. I invite you to join the Beating Trich group on here, as it is a little more active than this group but please don't neglect this forum here as we need to get members active again and if everyone leaves it will never happen. Also if you have not already done so it is a good idea and of help to have a journal to write your thoughts down. There is a tab at the top for starting your own journal and you can have it private or just for your friends on here to read. Also adding friends on here that you relate to can be a source of great support and encouragement. Please keep coming back. Take care.