Beauty

[Hercules00]

Ok guys....I need your help on something....please don't judge as I am reaching out for help that is not given by physicians. First of all this is embarrassing to ask but I'm desperate. I have been pulling my hair for over 20 yrs....It has become very thin and I need to cover it up...does anyone know of anyone who has gone through this? Also do you know if they used hair extensions because I'm looking for one but I'm unable to find the right one. Also, if they stopped pulling, how did they do it? I am desperate!

[fortune]

Hercules, I can imagine the emotional pain and despair you must be going through! I went online and here is one site for you to read.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trichotillomania

[YorkieonmyPillow]

I don't personally know anyone who has this, but I've heard about it.

I would not consider hair extensions because they put weight on the roots of your hair, thereby exacerbating the hair loss. I would consider a full wig on trips outside the home.

How can you stop? I suppose the easiest and quickest way would be finding a substitute you can switch to, that is equally satisfying and soothing.......i.e., nail biting. bubble-wrap popping, paper tearing, or who knows what....any repetitive motion would probably work.

Also, here is an online support group: http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Trichotillomania-Hair-Pulling/support-group

ETA: Anything that will keep your hands busy while you are trying to quit: knitting, stringing beads,etc.........

[Anglophilly]

There are many solutions to covering up the problem. The better, and more permanent solution would be to see a therapist who specializes in Obsessive Compulsive Disorders. I believe you would find understanding and hope. This is fixable and you're not alone. Please don't blame yourself or feel ashamed. This isn't a character flaw or "bad habit", but a real medical condition that deserves treatment.

I wish you the best.

[gidgetgretel]

This is a problem that not only changes how you look on the outside but even worse how you feel about yourself on the inside. I suffered with this horrible disease for the last 10 years. The funny thing is that to me my hair was biggest joy....what I mean by that is I am always getting my hair colored and trying new things with my hair. Basically my hair defined who I was. As my pulling got worse, I had trouble covering it up. I had long thick hair on my right side and on my left side you could see my scalp and big bald patches of missing hair. It got to finally that the only way I could style my hair was to put it in a pony tail and sprinkle toppik or hair powder on the areas where I had no hair left. I loved the feeling I got when I pulled the root out of my head and the snap feeling was a comfort to me. Others do not understand who think you can just stop. It took a couple of years but I ended up on a prescription med called naltrexon which helped more than anything had in the past that I had tried. It helps with compulsive problems. I have been on other meds but this is the only that helped to make a difference. I also found if I kept my hair colored which kept the gray hairs from sprouting, I wouldnt pull as much. When a gray hair would start to grow in the texture would make me want to pull it out as it was coarse and kinky. Hair color made my hair feel softer and kept the grays under control so I wouldnt rip them out. Try to read online about others experiences too, it makes you not feel so alone and ashamed. Good luck with this horrible self destructive habit that ruins your self esteem and selfworth. You can beat it, it just takes time, experimenting and research as much as you can to learn and get ideas from others experiences but I could not have overcome this without finding Naltrexon. It really was the foundation to help me to leave my hair alone and let it grow back. Good luck and God Bless .

[shoekitty]

I was thinking about this and I wonder if some kind of extension would help? You know how nail biters get hard acrylic nails to detour biting. Maybe having a a head of extensions will make it harder to pull pieces of hair, or it will detour you from pulling a bit. I realize this is a compulsive disorder, so it might not work, but worth looking into

[fortune]

I was also thinking more about this. Maybe if you wore a rubber band on your wrist and gave it a good snap when the desire hits. This is pure conditioning--equating pain with the act of hair pulling. But, what if the pain of the hair pulling might also be the "reward." But, if it is, then maybe the rubber band snap would be a substitute? Just a thought. You've gotten some very helpful posts, Hercules. Aren't these Board members great?!? Best of luck to you!

[suzyQ3]

I so feel for you. Any type of OCD is painful beyond belief. I hope that the advice given here might steer you in the right direction.

[Hercules00]

Thanks everyone for your words....this is so hard to deal with. I've been to my doctor and a therapist and nothing seems to work. I know exactly how this was triggered but you know what the hardest thing is...it's looking at the mirror, people starring at my head, my husband also stares at my head. I want to stop pulling more than anything in the world but I can't. As weird as this might sound, it is comforting to know I'm not the only one out there that does this but I don't wish this upon anyone. Some websites state that the person feels relief or plessure from pulling but my situation is different. I feel nothing when I pull...nothing. I usually only do it when I'm really stressed. Pulling when I'm stressed doesn't make me feel any better. I've tried working out and writing a journal with no results. When my stress is really high I wake up in the middle of night because I'm pulling. I'm pulling in my sleep....I feel there is no hope for me and I should just accept it because this is who I am.

Thank you all for listening to me as it is easier to speak to a stranger, but it's not easy to speak about this. This is very personal and embarrassing.

[Silver Lining]

Hercules00, I don't know her very well but am acqainted with a young woman who has trichotillomania. She is very pretty, very intelligent, is married and seems happy. I don't know how long she's had this disorder, but you can see a few bald spots where she pulls out her hair. As you already know, it's a manifestation of OCD which is difficult to treat. I don't know what kind of therapy or meds she has had, probably CBT and a seretonin uptake anti-depressant like Prozac. You said you've consulted a doctor and a therapist and haven't found relief. I feel so sad for you as I know it's a constant battle. You mentioned that you know what the trigger was. Maybe continuing to talk with a therapist about it would help. I know several people with OCD. They are all intelligent, attractive, accomplished people who cope with it as best they can. It never goes away but it can be managed. Are there any support groups available in your community for people with "emotional" conditions? I really dislike labels like that but the support groups usually have that kind of title. Like you said, it really helps to talk to other people who share the same kind of difficulties. I'm glad you were able to bring it to this forum for support. I'll be thinking of you.