AIBU to book a doctors appointment over my eyebrows?

[Thefaceofboe]

Not an AIBU, but I figured it would get the most responses on here. So a bit of a random problem, but I’m OBSESSED with playing with my eye brows. It started as a comfort thing when I was little and I used to love the feel of my brows as they were thick. Now I’m an adult I like to twiddle them, especially when I’m tired. I do it constantly, even when driving and at work and it’s getting embarrassing. I don’t even realise I’m doing it until people point it out. I make my eyebrows sore sometimes but can’t stop doing it I don’t know whether to book a doctors appointment as I admit it’s becoming a bit of an OCD.

has anything had anything similar? Thanks

Have you googled any techniques for giving up compulsive behaviours? It's probably just like people who bite their nails but making your eyebrows taste bad won't help!!

I think if anything about your own behaviour is making you uncomfortable or in pain then it’s absolutely ok to go and ask your GP. As it’s not ‘urgent’ I might ring your doctors surgery and ask which of their GPS deals specifically with OCD or mental health issues, to be sure you get someone experienced and sympathetic. Best of luck Op x

It's is a known compulsive behaviour and you probably need some pointers on how to break the habit. You should talk it through, there may be other relevant things too. So yes, you should hook an appointment.

Have you tried any self-help techniques first? Either distracting yourself when you feel like fiddling, limiting yourself to a few minutes each day, carrying an alternative fiddle object with you or a combination of all three? You should also look at what your triggers are to help you better understand it and then use this information to help you break the habit, for example do you do it more frequently when stressed, tired, bored, etc.

Mental health services are often self-referral, try googling for your area to see. In my area it's done by Talking Matters and you refer yourself via a form on their website so there might not even be a need to see the GP at all.

I definitely do it more when I’m tired or bored, but sometimes I’ll be eating my tea and I realise I’m rubbing my eyebrows, it’s really strange to be honest but I love the feel of it. My mum said I’ve done it since I was around 2, I used to suck my thumb and rub my eyebrow (especially when tired!)

I’ve tried a stress ball in my hand when I’m just chilling out but somehow I use one hand on the ball and the other sneaks to my eyebrow

@Venger I will look into that. Thank you! X

I do this too OP, I've rubbed the outer ends completely off at times! And rubbed the inside so much there's been an open wound, followed by a scab. What's made you decide to seek help for it, if you don't mind my asking?

If you can afford it a private counsellor would probably be better than your GP.

If you can't afford it then yes GP, and hopefully they will refer you to some sort of psychological help

I pull mine out :( have considered the gp too, especially as one is close to gone now. Best of luck op.

@RandomAmanda glad I’m not alone My eyebrows are just constantly sore and I find it embarrassing as I’m constantly doing it in public, more so recently and I don’t know why. I sometimes get random urges to press things against my eyebrow to see how it feels my boyfriend has suggested I see a doctor so just wondering if it’s the right thing to do

@Redcherries Bless you, in your case I would definitely visit the GP. Luckily I don’t pull them out, they are quite thick and I’m always told I’m lucky to have lovely eyebrows.

Maybe self refer yourself to your local iapt service

@Thefaceofboe (thanks for replying) I hope you get some relief

Ugh I feel your pain. I don’t play with my eyebrows but i fiddle constantly with the hair at the back of my head and pull it onto my face and stab myself with it 😂 I don’t realise I’m doing it until I suddenly become aware and then I feel very stressed I’m doing it, but the only thing that calms me down is to continue doing it even though I don’t want too! It’s a horrible cycle! I find myself doing it when I’m driving, cooking, working etc it’s a nightmare.
I have tried all sorts to replace it and nothing helps or alleviates it. I would suggest you do go to your GP and see if there’s anything they can offer to help break the habit. I can’t fathom how I’d stop and am also contemplating the GP. Good luck!

I went to school with a girl who did a similar thing except it was pulling out her eyelashes. Her parents got her some help (I think CBT) and she managed to stop, unfortunately I don't think her eyelashes really grew back.

@Billie87 that’s exactly the same as me, I’ve been doing it more while replying to comments on this thread I hope you overcome it too! It’s a pain

I had hypnotherapy for biting my skin around my nails. It did work, I remember sitting at traffic lights and I didn't even feel the urge to do it, it wasn't like I was ignoring the urge, it just wasn't there. It was a shocking revelation as I have done it since I was 4.

Lasted several months until I was in a very stressful situation and that seemed to break whatever had stopped me. I don't do it to the same extent anymore but I really should have gone back for another session.

Not at all unreasonable, sounds akin to trichotillomania.

If your eyebrows are constantly sore as a result, it’s definitely worth booking an appointment. You need help if the pain won’t make you naturally stop.

I have this but I pull my hairs out from my head. It’s weird because I will search for the coarsest hair I can find where the cuticle is all fluffed up and it feels really brittle and I’ll run the pads of my fingers over and over it until I pull it out then I’ll get it between my finger nails and make it into a very tight curl. So weird but I literally cannot stop doing it.

I do it more when I’m stressed or anxious, and I have thinner patches of hair due to this although I tend to concentrate on the left side more than anything.

You might need something to keep your hands busy, I found playing with blue tac or getting some string to twiddle instead of my hair helped. It’s weird because I can literally feel my anxiety disappearing once I have pulled it out! Maybe I should visit the doctors too lol!

Yes, doctor

Try an Occupational Therapist with sensory processing training.

The existing sensory "hit" that you get from playing with the hair, will be embedded and very powerful.

A good OT will identify which sensory system is being used, and whether you are using this sensation to wake yourself up or calm yourself down.
If you don't want to do that behaviour, the OT will work with you to find another way of filling the sensory need.

@Heartburn888 I do exactly the same thing. I love the very rare crinkly ones.

What has helped is that my cat is obsessed with my hair and anytime I put my hand anywhere near, he is all over it. He likes to floss bite the hairs I pull out in half.

It has reduced the amount I do it.

I think it may take 21 days to break a habit?
Try tomorrow wrapping an elastic band around both sets of fingers so everytime you go to do it you can stop yourself.
Try it for a few days. If it doesn't work get a different technique.