How do I cope? I can't do anything about the cause of my anxiety. - Anxiety Message Board

eyebrow · 01-14-2007, 09:39 PM

This sounds a little crazy but my anxiety started after I accidentally tweezed the top of my eyebrow away thinking I was plucking stray hairs... I was very happy with my face and once I realized what I had done and that it was almost certainly permanent, I became really anxious. It progressed quickly and interfered with my ability to sleep, eat, or enjoy the things I used to. It also derailed my efforts in looking for a job - my greatest assets were my confidence and energy. Now I'm anxious and depressed and not at all myself. Its been 4 months since the incident of great stupidity and I do not feel hopeful that I will ever look like myself again. I have to get on with life somehow. I went to a psychiatrist and was prescribe Klonopin as needed and Zoloft. The side effects from Zoloft were so bad I'm afraid to try anything else. I can't believe I did this to myself. Now, I don't know if I'll ever feel like myself again because I never felt like this before I did this and I can't fix it! I need to find a way to really live again. Any suggestions would be welcome.

JB68711 · 01-14-2007, 11:23 PM

You say you tweezed the top of your eyebrow away and that it is permanent? How is it permanent? Eyebrows do grow back.

Fiona84 · 01-14-2007, 11:48 PM

Hello eyebrow

.....it has been four months....has your eyebrow not grown back yet?

I imagine this is more of a self image thing than having anything to do with your eyebrow.

When you went to a psychiatrist, I imagine you would have had a more serious reason than over-plucking your eyebrow for them to prescribe medication to you.

When I first read this I thought you were making fun of us and not serious...but that would be insensitive of me. Most of us on here worry about having a horrible disease or something, but I suppose everyone is different.

I would suggest getting an eyebrow pencil to fill in your eyebrows. I think most women have over-plucked their eyebrows now and again. And then, try to get to the REAL issue here so you can "find a way to really live again."

Best of luck.

eyebrow · 01-16-2007, 08:42 PM

I'm a natural type and I really liked the way I looked before. Its the whole top curve of my brow! I definitely look different and I have so much regret and upset because its forever. I just don't know what to do with all the anxiety this is causing. The psychiatrist suggested it was the focal point for all my anxiety about everything. I do have a lot to stress right now but I think I'd be coping with it normally. I think the permanence of this change in my appearance was the last straw. I have never felt like this before. I'm jumping out of my skin all the time and I can't enjoy the things I used to. I really don't want to take meds but I'm starting to think being anxious for a few months has changed my brain chemistry somehow.

morroso · 02-28-2007, 08:00 AM

Hi. Being a bloke, it is actually worse. I was teased at school alot and ended up plucking to make mine less bushy. It got to a point where I was so unhappy I pulled them all out and had to go to work with a bandage around my head. I eventually got some growth back and some confidence but I have had problems ever since. I am now 33 and was 16 at the time. I have been on anti depressants for years just to take the edge of the anxiety. I used to get all the feelings you mention, still do to a pont, especially when hairs fall out and leave gaps. I looked into cosmetic surgery but was to uncertain about it to go ahead. I looked into drugs to help regrowth but didnt end up trying them as they would make things worse befoer getting better. I am now married, with my first child, I take multi vitamins in the morning along with my medication and vitamin b at night. These seem to aid in regrowth somewhat after a number of months taking them.
I understand your anxiety, it is horrible and you feel so alone. All I can say is that you do have to find a way to move on and accept it. Try things that may give you some hope and take it day by day... don't think to far ahead. At the end of the day it will always upset you but you have to remember how badly off other people are. Take care.