trichotillomania

I am suffering with many mental health disorders, one of them being this condition known as trichotillomania. I pull my eyebrows, my pubic hair, my eyelashes, the hair on my torso sometimes. It makes me spend hours constantly pulling to black out and freeze mentally.

It causes me so much stress and pain when I can't control my left hand enough to stop what I'm doing. I get restless and figdet I hurt my body by constantly pulling until it bleeds i want to stop but I can't control my urges.

I try to use soft things i try to distract my hands by typing I try but I can't stop my stress

It ran in my family my deceased sibling had this disorder too

Hi, I just found out what I've been doing this whole time was a compulsive disorder called trichotillomania. I thought it was just a bad hair condition. I was truly shocked by this and I wish to talk to someone experiencing the same and I badly want to stop pulling my hair but I CAN'T 😢 help me

Hello, I too have struggled with TTM since I was a child, around age 9. I started after moving abroad with my family and the birth of my brother, who I was assuming a lot of responsibilities in caring for, to assist my mother. It comes and goes and when I have stress or boredom it is the most serious and prevalent. I used to hate myself and think of myself as ugly and deeply disturbed because of not having the strength to calm the impulse to pull. I've come to accept that this is a coping mechanism my young self utilized to help with emotional regulation as I had a difficult childhood and did not have a voice in my family. I'm working through accepting myself as I am, while trying to use more mindfulness and meditation based strategies to manage my stress. Some days are better than others. I stand in solidarity with others who struggle with TTM, and woul be happy to chat with anyone who would like to share experiences about the subject.

@maxie12

We have a sub-forum for conditions like this, that some of you may find helpful.

SupportPlus_DermatillomaniaTrichotillomaniaBFRBSupport

Hi @maxie12 my name is Timk and from childhood my mother and oldest daughter both have suffered from it. It has been a task to say the least. This may sound extreme, but as my daughter became an adult, by choice she cut all her hair off. With age my mother has formed an alcohol induced form of dementia called wet brain. She currently has stopped and my daughter as well. I know cutting off your hair is an extreme measure, but she felt it was the best choice for herself.

You are not alone as many people suffer from this syndrome. Stay positive and when the urge comes try to redirect your thoughts if possible. I know it’s easier said than done, but it’s a start. Sending love and hugs to you!

If anyone is looking for a listener who has experience with BFRBs (body-focused repetitive behaviors) such as trichotillomania and dermatillomania, please feel free to reach out to me:)