Heyy, I’ve just turned 16 and I’ve been pulling since I was around 10/11, I know how it feels to be insecure and have low self confidence levels, it’s awful to be honest because it’s self inflicted. I try so hard to stop but I always seem to relapse, although I could maybe help with short term solutions that could possibly work long term for you, know you’re not alone in this at all I felt isolated for so many years before I realised I’m not the only one. The idea that there are others like me hasnt helped as such but it helped me to stop hating myself as much for causing myself these problems. I hope you have a pull free day and we can talk more about our TTM problem soon x

Haven’t had a pull free day yet lol it’s so bad mom so ashamed.

Hey, I am also 17 and am dealing with the same thing. My parents always question me as to WHY I can't stop, WHY I don't notice it, WHY I hate myself so much that I mutilate my body in such a way. I try to voice that it's just really hard and I want to stop but I have yet to do so. I hate going out in public because not only do I have social anxiety, but I also am very insecure due to what this disorder has done to me, or my lack of coping skills. I'd love to connect if you are interested. Hope you're doing well.

Hello, I'm 14 and have been pulling since I was 12/13. I can relate to the low self confidence, ever since I started pulling, I just want to hide in a shell. I'd love to chat if your interested. Hope everything is going good.

Hey I’m 14 and I’ve been dealing with this since I was 10 no one in my family knows yet because I am beyond ashamed of it it breaks me to know that I can’t stop no matter how hard I try, I cry every day hoping it will go away yet it doesn’t my sisters make fun of me for it and I’m not sure what to do honestly I really want to stop but I can’t do it.

Honestly, the only people who are going to understand are the ones who have been through it. I don't have any great tips on how to overcome trich, but it's not something to be ashamed of. The stigma around mental illness needs to end and more people need to be educated about these disorders.

I have gone as far as talking to a close friend and girlfriend telling them to yell at me or snack my hand anytime they noticed me pulling. As I became very comfortable around people I find myself subconsciously allowing pulling around them. But that did not work at all and really made me aware how difficult the behavior is to stop or control.

I am new to this group but there seems to be some helpful tips to try. (I noticed reading some posts here and commenting on my phone has kept my hands occupied and away from pulling for an hour or so) Small victories! Plenty of others have tried and been through the same things and willing to help/discuss.

Hi there. I'm 35 & have been living with trich since I was 12 years old. Up until maybe a year or two ago, I had been so ashamed of my condition. To the point where the thought of speaking with anyone about it filled me with dread!! That includes doctors/nurses/therapists/anyone. However now that I'm older, I have been able to accept that this is just part of me, and that has really helped me mentally. I have got to the stage where I've done too much damage & in certain areas of my head, no hair will ever grow again. My only regret is that I had sought help earlier & given myself a chance of recovery. So I just wanted to say, if you're brave enough, speak to your doctor. CBT could really help! (I hear it works anyway!!) I wish I'd tried to fight this earlier. Good luck everyone - I hope you all get the help you need xx

Hi. Thank you for joining the forum and reaching out here for support from people who know exactly how it feels to want to not pull your hair out, but then doing it anyway. But we actually can stop, it can be done with a lot of changing our thought patterns and habits, and thinking positively, saying we can instead of we can't. When we hit our bottom and are so fed up with trich, that is when we are more likely to start on our road to recovery. It will have bumps and slips along the way, and will not always be easy or smooth but we can get there. We also need to find things to do to keep our hands busy, Use squishy toys, take up knitting, do art, anything that keeps our hands from going to our head. It is such a deeply ingrained habit, putting our hand to our head, that it becomes an automatic reaction, when we are upset, angry, stressed, tired, even bored. We need to become very self aware, to become present, grounded, and conscious of all we are doing. Then we will find it easier to catch ourselves as our hand goes to our head, and more chance of stopping. Write out some goals, like I want to have a full head of hair and how that will feel , not having to worry about trying to cover thin or balding areas or worrying about going swimming or avoiding it all together, etc.. Write down the times we pull, what happened immediately before we pulled - how we were feeling and what we were thinking, and write down how we felt after pulling, or after not giving in to pulling. Soon you will see a pattern and will become more self aware. Use a journal to record your struggles and victories and goals. Either use your online journal here at the forum. (you can make it private or available for only our friends to read and comment on.) Or have your own journal at home.. I have struggled a very long time with trich, with years of not pulling, and years of pulling. Right now I am getting on track and finally just stopped wearing a wig, which feels great. I hope to see you post here again, and all those who commented. We need each other for support. Add each other as a friend here on the forum and private message each other for support. Or send a hug or a high five under the hugs section to someone who needs it.