Hi there, I suffer from trichotillomania. is anyone familiar with this?

Question

it started about two years ago and the situation has become out of hand. my wife is embarrased to be seen with me in public. PLEASE HELP

Answer 1

Many of us are! Some of us for several years since childhood. I started when I was 8 years of age and am now 26, so you can imagine what that must be like.

First of all, show your wife this article called "Advice for Significant Others". It's a great article to our significant others/family members to let them know a little about Trichotillomania and what it is we go through. Your wife is most likely embarrassed because she doesn't understand, and many people fear what they don't understand. My husband freaked out the moment he heard about my Trichotillomania. The first words out of his mouth were, "Can we ever have a normal relationship?" Shocking as those words were, I took into fact that he did not understand the Trichotillomania, and that I needed something to help him see a little more of what I was going through. This article really helped out a lot.
http://www.trich.org/articles/view_default.asp?aid=15&yd=familyandfriends_basic_Information

As for you, in any attempt to stop, many describe it as a smoker trying to quit smoking. It's a habit, a physical addiction. It's not easy to just stop cold. If it was, our lives would be so much easier! :) It's a long hard process, but worth it in the end to those who get there.

There are medications out there said to help curb the urges, however I personally had not had any luck with that, so I cannot tell you from personal experience how they work. Talking to a therapist and getting some behavioral therapy can take the major edge off, but all in all, it really is all on you to win this battle.

We've all suggested finding a hobby that would keep your hands busy or doing some kind of workout. Many people have found that their worst pulling times are when they are bored, sitting around, watching TV, or doing nothing. You gotta keep yourself busy and active in order to keep your hands off your hair. I know, easier said than done. It's not something that's going to happen overnight. You'll have many successful days, and there's potential for setbacks, but that's okay. If you have a setback, don't let it get you down. Just know it's okay, and keep moving forward in your journey to recovery. There are plenty of us out there cheering you on as well, willing to support you if you need it.

That's another thing is, getting a good support system behind you. Trichotillomania just feeds on negative emotions, and if your support system is failing on you, it can have some disasterous outcomes on your hair. Get your family and/or close friends together, let them know you have the Trichotillomania (show them that article if need be), and that you need their full support if you are going to recover. Plus there are many support groups out there for people with Trichotillomania online (check Yahoo! groups) if you want to be among people who share your experiences. I'm available through my profile if you ever want to talk as well. Like I said, there are many resources at your hands. I wish you the best of luck in your recovery!

Answer 2

Yeah, I've had this for over 20 years. You can get help from your physician or a psychiatrist - don't worry about the stigma about seeing a shrink, it's generally recognized as a form of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, doesn't mean you're whacko. 20 years ago the doctor told me to put Vaseline on my hair to deter me from pulling, and it worked for a while. I think nowadays you can be prescribed a low-dosage anti-anxiety medication, which should help. Or find something else to do with your hands when you get the urge - squeeze a squooshy ball, etc. Best of luck.

Answer 3

Yes.I have this also.Had it since i was a kid;in my late 30's now.Been pulling my eyelashes out for so many years, I'm surprised they still grow back.I also tried picking the hairs on my arms but that started to hurt so I stopped.But for some reason picking my lashes doesnt hurt; it feels good---like I'm compelled to do it.I've literally done it till there is not a one left.I can only imagine what I must look like; but being female I try using a little eye liner to make myself look at least half-way decent.I wish they had some sort of medicine that would help with Trich.Well, good luck.

Answer 4

My buddy's daughter has it. It became the first signal they said in a set of odd behaviors which ultimately led to a analysis of OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive disease), it truly is a kind of psychological ailment. Her daughter's hair pulling, jointly with her different indications, are literally managed with drugs and talk remedy, besides the undeniable fact that the drugs is amazingly the major area of the answer. Her therapist helps her by technique of helping her boost coping ideas and mechanisms even as she has urges she can't administration and which won't be able to be managed by technique of the drugs. I particularly have a reliable operating understand-how of anatomy and body structure, and a rather reliable volume of understand-how of distinctive kinds of psychological ailment, and that i have never heard of absolutely everyone with the condition the position it did no longer have a psychological ingredient with it. each little thing I particularly have examine says that drugs and/or counseling is significant, so in case you or someone you care about has it, i beg you to hunt medical help once accessible. best of luck.