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

Ps. I had many habits as a kid. Including a fringe flick and making a ''mmm' noise often! I think I drove my parents crazy!

One of the time wasters who contribute to the state of the NHS. They shouldn't have to deal with trivia.

@Thefaceofboe

Could you try putting something like vaseline on them, so it wouldn't feel nice to touch?

@longtimelurkerhelen glad I’m not alone! Hello fellow weirdo 😂

I don’t have any pets unfortunately but saying that I don’t think I’m ready to stop lol I get some kind of weird enjoyment out of it

@Heartburn888

Yep I love it when I get the opportunity.

I pull my eyebrows out also, problem is I don’t even realise I’m doing it until it’s too late and look in the mirror and look ridiculous! Noticed retrospectively that it’s when I’m stressed

It is called trichotillomania. I’ve had it 40 years. Lots of information online and some techniques to stop. There’s some success with n-acetylcysteine
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/24750573.2018.1472907

Good luck

What about getting into regular meditation. If you were calmer you might be less inclined.

I think this is absolutely what is wrong with the NHS today. Non-serious problems - pulling your eyebrows? seriously?

I work in the NHS and harsh as it may seem it's ridiculous that we deny cancer patients drugs opposed to an eyebrow puller??

curlytoenails I don't get your reasoning - why would you have been giving cancer drugs to someone with a compulsive disorder?

OP can you put gloves on or cover your thumb/finger nail with masking tape or a plaster or something so you can't grip?

GP should be able refer you for 12 CBT sessions.

It’s def an OCD behaviour, as people have said it has a name. Don’t be embarrassed to seek help.

Someone who works in the NHS who can’t identify an OCD-related behaviour?

tillytrotter1 and curlytoenails - is the NHS not there to treat mental health also??

TatianaLarina

In most areas people can self refer to psychological therapies.

@tillytrotter1
@curlytoenails
Cruel and dismissive comments by both of you,

wishywashywoowoo

www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/iapt/

A few people are being harsh because of the title of your post, I think.

But in reality, you're not booking an appointment for your eyebrows, but for a mental health issue.

I have a problem peeling the skin around my fingernails. It’s gotten worse over the years but I’ve not seeked any help. Gp maybe a good start.

No, YANBU to book a standard/non-urgent appointment with your surgery for a mental health concern such as an ocd habit.

Try an Occupational Therapist with sensory processing training.

I second this. I'm in the US and an OT would be your first port of call for this type of problem.

Thanks for your comments everyone . @popehilarious I could, but it’s not even that I pull them out, I rub my hand against them too.

I know a lot about Trichotillomania but I don’t actually pull the hair out I just fiddle, so wasn’t sure it was the same thing.
@curlytoenails what a stupid comment, not everyone who needs help in some way has cancer but would you begrudge them it because it’s not as serious? That’s what the NHS is for.

@tillytrotter1 Why so rude when I’m asking opinions on where to go from here? If you have any suggests other than visiting the Gp then let me I do wonder about some people on MN

@curlytoenails also, I’m very very worried if you work for the NHS with an attitude like that and would be interested to know what department

Google IAPT (improving access to psychological therapies) and your borough - self referral NHS psychology/talking therapies service - including CBT, which should be just the thing

@curlytoenails it’s the NHS not the CHS. It’s bizarre to discourage people from seeking help because their problem isn’t life threatening. You username suggests you might benefit from seeing a podiatrist - maybe that would make you more comfortable and less snippy?

@thefaceofboe do check out your local services and see if you can self-refer for cbd. It would cut out a GP visit or at least cross it off the list of things to try for when you do see them.