Trichotillomania - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Message Board

mysterygarage81 · 12-25-2007, 11:43 AM

Hello,

I am new to these boards and believe I have what is called trichotillomania. Now, I think my case is rather mild because I can control it if I have a really strong urge, but it keeps sneaking back up on me and I continue to find myself pulling hair out of the scalp.

I usually do it when I am downstairs watching TV, and have nothing to keep my hands busy with. I suspected this the other week, and got a beeswax candle and pulled it apart with my hands, and now I am forming the pieces into little balls. Anyway, this helped a lot and I completely forgot about pulling my hair out, but last night it started again and I couldn't control it.

If anybody out there has found a way to stop pulling hair out, I would be really glad to hear about it, as I am becoming very self conscious about my hair.

Thanks, and Happy Holidays!

missygt · 01-12-2008, 03:37 PM

I suffer from this and for me it's devasting . Anytime something goes differently in my life it even gets worse .I am on meds but for me they don't help .I am never without tweezers , actually I own round 20 pairs. I sleep with the under my pillow...I pull hair from my face!. I hardly have eyebrows and can't quit!....I hate myself for it, but thats just another thing I hate myself for!..I know these feelings are my OCD and Trich. but it still doesn't help.
Good luck and best wishes with your problem....for me it's been a few years with the pulling!

missygt · 01-12-2008, 03:42 PM

already posted.

veryitchy · 01-12-2008, 07:53 PM

Hey,
I was diagnosed with trich about 5 years ago. Like you, I pull when I am watching TV, studying, etc. I tried anxiety medicine and even habitual therapy but none of it ever worked. If anyone has any suggestions, I would GREATLY appreciate it! Since most of my friends and family are aware of my condition, I usually have them stop me when I am pulling becasue I am usually unaware. Also, as creepy as it sounds, I found a really coarse piece of rope that I will hold in situations where I will likely pull... weird I know but I am usually desperate for anything that will work.
I am always up for any suggestions. Not to be negative but it definetly is a battle to quit... Many people treat it like an addiction.. the longest I have lasted in the 5 years of my disorder is 1 month 2 days pull free! Good luck!

Shauleen · 01-13-2008, 10:29 AM

I have suffered from this for 35 years and now also pull out my eyebrows and eyelashes. The thing I noticed about it is, I always use my left hand to pull out my hair even though I'm right handed. I've never used my right hand, I've tried (just to see if I could) and find it really awkward. And yes, it's the coarse ones that give the most satisfaction. Sometimes I hate throwing the coarse ones away until I've smoothed them out with my thumb nail - and if I drop it before I do this, I feel really annoyed and cheated. I also eat the tip of the hair plus all of the lashes and brows. I think this is quite common from what I've read about this condition.