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danna , 02 Feb 2014

I have Trichotillomania.

I am 15 years old and have Trich. And I've had it for about 6 years now. I've been trying and trying to find cures for this terrible habit, but nothing seems to work for me. So now I am doing therapy every Thursday at my local Counseling place. I've been doing therapy for about 4 weeks now. It's going to be a long process, but hopefully in the end I will be able to not touch my hair :)

I pull the hairs that are by my neck. I use to do it in the front, but I wore a headband for about 2 months to let it grow out and I totally forgot about pulling my hair, that's when I started doing it in the back. I just can't seem to find a cure for the back hair pulling.

I want to quit so I can do things with my hair. And when I work out, I can pull my hair up into a pony tail. But I can't because it's awfully embarrassing pulling up my hair and having people see my short hairs :(

I want to be Trich Free.

10 Answers
anna
February 11, 2014
hi danna, you mention you are doing therapy, is that a specific kind of therapy, or general talk therapy?
danna
February 26, 2014

In reply to by anna

hi danna, you mention you are doing therapy, is that a specific kind of therapy, or general talk therapy?

Hi! Thanks guys for answering. I don't know what does it mean "specific kind" but my therapist is not treating the trich specifically and we talk about all kinds of problems and difficulties I experience.
macyk
February 16, 2014
Hi Danna, one method I found very helpful is covering the findgertips (by wearing gloves or special gloves for the fingertips). It blocks your ability to pull, and even when you try to, you immediately become aware and it can help structure a new behavioral habit.
dbdony
February 20, 2014
Hi! I'm in a very similar situation, I'm 15 myself, and been pulling for 5 years now. I now how it feels, can be totally frustrating. That headband trick is a nice idea btw, should do whatever you can to manage/stop this habit. Good luck!
danna
February 26, 2014

In reply to by dbdony

Hi! I'm in a very similar situation, I'm 15 myself, and been pulling for 5 years now. I now how it feels, can be totally frustrating. That headband trick is a nice idea btw, should do whatever you can to manage/stop this habit. Good luck!


Hi and thanks for answering! Good luck and best wishes!
claire
April 10, 2014
Hello!
I'm also 15 and am currently seeing several therapists about my trich (I've been pulling my lashes since I was 6).
We basically just sit and talk for an hour or two about any problems or stresses in my life, how to deal with them and how to distract myself from pulling. And I have to say that it helps, it doesn't solve everything and I know that there's no way to quickly "Fix" trich, however it does help knowing that there are people out there who I can talk to face-to-face.
I've been going to therapy for about 5-6 months now and I can already notice improvements with my self esteem.

Hope you're okay. Just keep telling yourself that you're not alone :)
catherine
May 22, 2014
I'm 15 too, and I've just begun pulling my hair out. I've told my parents about my problem, but they refuse to accept the fact that it is a disorder, so seeing a therapist is out of the question. besides, i don't want them to think i'm insane. i can't seem to stop, it's so addictive and i don't know what to do...
TrichMaster
May 22, 2014
Hi Catherine. My mom wouldn't take me to a therapist either. She said they don't know a thing. She would yell at me "Just Stop Pulling." I would get so mad. But she really didn't understand, and neither do your parents. Encourage them to become more educated about trich. Maybe they will let you attend a local trich support group. I run one of those in my area, and it helps all involved. Your parents love you I am sure, but they need help to understand you. I'm right there with your parents. I don't believe I have a psychological disorder because there is no proof of this, only theory of educated psychologists who don't have this "disorder." I believe our problem is more biological. I do know for a fact I am sensitive to stimulating trigger foods and very sensitive to stress. I feel everything. The foods I eat and even the tension coming off of others affects me, but I don't consider this a bad thing anymore. Have you ever heard of what cows do when they have a potassium deficiency? They chew and chew the hair around the irritated area until it is bald and sometimes to the point of bleeding. Once they receive potassium supplementation, they stop. My daughters allergist told us that it's like she has a cup inside of her and when it gets filled up with allergens, she reacts with skin erruptions, sneezing, itching, hives, etc. Maintaining my nutrient levels helps me very much. I believe stress depletes us of everything vital to our survival including nutrients. Certain foods that trigger trich urges also deplete nutrients our bodies need to be well. See if you can get your parents on board for implementing a plan that will help your overall well being. Good luck.
dbdony
June 16, 2014

In reply to by TrichMaster

Yeah I also think that going to a therapist can be either a very helpful idea, or on the contrary a negative experience. It all depends if the therapist knows how to treat this disorder. If you decide to go to a shrink, you have to pick one that has experience on trichotillomania.

As for trich being biological problem, I think that maybe its both psychological and biological? Hard to tell.
TrichMaster
June 20, 2014
Yes Dbdony. I went to a therapist who barely knew what trich was. We need more therapists who have trich themselves or trich coaches who have trich themselves and have overcome it and know how to help. That is what i want to do someday. I plan to open up my own business where that is all I do is help people recover from trich. Right now I am just running a local support group in Winston-Salem, NC. If you know anyone in Winston let them know..

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