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.
This is not something that I've ever talked to anyone about. I've always thought that pulling out my hair made me weird and crazy and have never wanted to admit to anyone that I do it. I've been pulling out my hair from my scalp since I was about 10 or 11. I've gone through periods where I stopped completely or only pulled out hair on the odd occasion.
The last few years have been frustrating, stressful and emotionally taxing for various work and family reasons. I've been pulling it out a lot and now have an almost completely bald spot at the top of my head. I'm pretty sure that it won't every grow back properly. I'm pretty tall so I just tell myself that no one can see it, but at the back of my mind I know that's not true.
It makes me incredibly self-conscious and unhappy but I can't seem to stop pulling out my hair even though I know it will just make it worse. I haven't been to the hairdresser in ages because I am so self-conscious about it. I didn't really want to tell her about it because I feel like she will judge me. Even though my long hair is driving me crazy. Seeing this big bald patch every day makes me feel so insecure about my appearance. This just adds to my anxiety and hair pulling so it's a vicious cycle.
Anyway. I wanted to ask if anyone has had any success with treatments to promote hair re-growth. I will try anything if it will help my hair grow back. I'd really appreciate any advice. I feel like if I knew it would grow back I could stop. And it would bring me so much peace of mind.
I live in Hong Kong so not all products are readily available but if products can be ordered online that would be great.
Thank you :)
The last few years have been frustrating, stressful and emotionally taxing for various work and family reasons. I've been pulling it out a lot and now have an almost completely bald spot at the top of my head. I'm pretty sure that it won't every grow back properly. I'm pretty tall so I just tell myself that no one can see it, but at the back of my mind I know that's not true.
It makes me incredibly self-conscious and unhappy but I can't seem to stop pulling out my hair even though I know it will just make it worse. I haven't been to the hairdresser in ages because I am so self-conscious about it. I didn't really want to tell her about it because I feel like she will judge me. Even though my long hair is driving me crazy. Seeing this big bald patch every day makes me feel so insecure about my appearance. This just adds to my anxiety and hair pulling so it's a vicious cycle.
Anyway. I wanted to ask if anyone has had any success with treatments to promote hair re-growth. I will try anything if it will help my hair grow back. I'd really appreciate any advice. I feel like if I knew it would grow back I could stop. And it would bring me so much peace of mind.
I live in Hong Kong so not all products are readily available but if products can be ordered online that would be great.
Thank you :)
First of all I can totally relate to the shame and frustration associated with this disorder, especially not wanting to go to a hairdresser.
In the past, I would eventually drag myself to get a haircut about once a year and I would always make up excuses - I've said that a flat iron burnt my hair and it fell out, that I had a disorder that causes it to fall out, amongst many other things. Finally, I found a hairdresser that I felt comfortable with and I told her about TTM. She said she had other clients like me and that it was a lot more common than I thought it was. I hope you will be able to find someone you feel comfortable with, because they won't judge you! The person I see now even helps me try to pick a good style based on where I pull to try to cover up spots.
Anyway, to answer your question, personally I don't have any experience with re-growing treatments. However, I do know that rubbing hair oil on your scalp and massaging the area can help stimulate regrowth.
I am sorry I don't have the magical wand to make it all grow back, you just have to be patient.
Please know that all of us here either feel or have felt all of those things you have said in your post, so feel free to come to us for help whenever you need it!