Hair pulling

[Azira]

I've began self-harming again in these past few months, which has included pulling my hair out regularly.

It's gotten to the point where the damage is visible, so, could anyone share any methods they have for hiding or lessening that sort of thing? How about ways to stop yourself pulling hair out in the first place?

To start things off... wearing a hat has seemed the most obvious thing to do.

[Jamas]

Hi Azira.

I am sorry you have been going through such a hard time. I have friends who have also dealt with hair-pulling, so I know how difficult it can be. Good luck in dealing with it!

Wearing a hat sounds like a good first step!

Here are some websites that may help:
http://www.trich.org/
http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Trichoti ... port-group
http://trichotillomania.supportgroups.com

Take good care,

-Jamás

[desperateforgrace]

Azira,
I too pull out my hair, though not on my head like most people with trich do, but elsewhere on my body. And I haven't really been successful at stopping yet, but maybe a way to reduce the hair pulling I've been told is to keep your hands busy with something other than the pulling (ie..do crafts, writing, cross word puzzles if you are into that kind of thing).
Hope this helps at least a little, and know that you are not alone in your struggles. Keep fighting!

-me

[Stefani140]

Hi! This is something I have dealt with for years as well, sometimes worse than others. Have you considered getting treatment for this? I have not really talked to anyone that was able to stop on their own. It's a symptom that has a big basis and has a lot in common with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, which also gets progressively worse without treatment. CBT, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, is most successful for treating trich as far as I am aware so that might be something to look into.

Also, try to look for your triggers. Do you pull when you're stressed? Do you pull when you're bored? Try to identify when you're engaging in the behavior and try to find other coping mechanisms you can replace it with in those moments. For example, if you mostly pull when you're bored, and you feel yourself getting the urge to pull recognize that you most likely are just bored and go find something to do and see if that helps the urge to go away.

ETA: Keeping your hands busy is also a great suggestion. I crochet when I feel myself getting the urge to hair pull and it really helps.

[PokemonGeek]

I did the same thing for a year and a half. *SI* I didn't have the disorder that can cause you to do it because I would do it specifically on my legs to the point I bled whenever I was alone. I found out after I quit SIing that talking to someone helps out a great deal. Using this site has ALSO been a great part of my recovery! Good luck with your problem!

[Lofticries]

Kind of embarrassing but I've had trichotillomania since the age of about 4.

It's not a self-harm thing, it's a impulse-control disorder (a psychological condition where you are unable to stop yourself carrying out a particular action). I've never been able to stop for more than a short period of time.

It's my eyelashes, for a while when I was a child it was also my eyebrows and my hair.

I always try and wear fake eyelashes so people wont notice.

[Jamas]

Wishing conscientious recovery to everyone here...