Please help? How the fuck do I stop this?

[randomhelp1]

Hi

i just thought I’d post here in the off chance someone knows of something that could help

im a really stressed person, it’s just the way I am and I’m sort of used to it now. But I’ve got this really bad habit now and it’s embarrassing,

I’ve started eating my hair.

i know it sounds mental and it probably is, it just seems to be whenever I feel anxious I fidget and twirl my hair and end up sort of chewing it. I hate it, it’s embarrassing but it happens whenever I get anxious or stressed. It happened at work and I didn’t even realise I was twirling my hair and had sort of put it in my mouth and was eating it whilst talking to my boss. My boss (understandably!) was a bit like ew don’t do that. I didn’t even realise I was doing it, it’s just a habit I seem to default to. But it’s embarrassing and disgusting. It’s my hair for god sake, what is wrong with me?

I’ve tried tying my hair in a bun but I somehow seem to pull strands down when I’m anxious and fidgety without even realising it.

if I go to the doctors for help with my anxiety and I mention this, will they think I’m an absolute freak? I really want to stop it and I understand it’s disgusting, I don’t know why I do it but I can’t seem to stop but I’m terrified of seeming like a freak or time waster if I ask for help with this and anxiety in general

You sound so worried but this is not unheard of and you will be able to change the habit. I think CBT can help with things like this? Your GP won't think you're peculiar, and you are not wanting time getting help with anxiety.

I’ve done that at times of stress too. you need to work on the stress, box breathing is a really good exercise and will focus your mind.

Your GP won't think you're an absolute freak at all. But you do need to get help. Do you eat it (ie swallow it)? It can be quite dangerous so please get help.

You need to speak to someone - maybe the doctor can help with your anxiety.

Maybe get a fidget ring and use that instead? Less noticeable.

But I’d work on the root cause not the reaction first.

probably should have said for context, I’m a nail biter in case that’s related too. These are my nails currently, despite trying the horrible tasting nail polish, gloves etc. not sure if it’s related or not to the hair chewing but at least nail biting is a bit more common and a bit more acceptable socially I suppose

Try finding a hypnotherapist with training in BWRT. It helped me a lot with my picking issues.

I think I chew it and then accidentally swallow it. It tastes horrible (just like hair spray!) so I don’t know why I even do it. It just sort of happens and it ends up in my mouth with me chewing on it. I think I accidentally swallow it. I’ve got a strand of hair at the front that’s about 6 inches shorter than the rest of my hair from chewing on it x

I don't have anything to suggest but no, the Dr's won't think you're a freak - I'm sure it's got a proper medical name and everything. A bit like the thing where people pull their hair out as a habit.

I do think you can get, effectively, a hairball though OP if you do it loads, which is obviously not good or you! Seem to remember reading something about that. Probably very rare / you have to eat a carrier bag full every day or something, but the thought of a hairball definitely put me off when the cool kids at school would chew their hair!

I used to pull mine out. Its a compulsion (OCD) borne or anxiety. Try and get to the root of the anxiety- easily said i know.

I pull mine out. Trichotillomania

I've read about people eating it. You need habit reversal training.
So do I :(

It's called trichophagia. Your doctor won't think anything bad about you. It's a recognised condition. You can get help. If it makes you feel better, I used to pull out my eyelashes and bite them in half. It felt really satisfying. I don't any more, so you can definitely get past this.

You can end up with a bowel obstruction from eating hair, it’s really quite dangerous for your health. Do see your GP - and don’t be embarrassed about it, they’ve heard and seen it all.

Can you swap your hair for chewing gum instead? (but not swallow it)

Your doctor won’t think you are a freak please don’t worry about that. It’s their job to help you and they will. Don’t be embarrassed, ask for help; that’s the first step and you may find starting to take control will make you feel a bit better. Best of luck.

Can you replace with chewing gum?

It’s way more common than you think! Definitely see if you can find some medical help to deal with it, CBT or some similar type reversal training.

Hope you get some help OP, I'm a terrible picker of skin. Had to sort the bottom of my feet out with pumice stone this morning. It's a compulsion, I sort of go trance like when I'm doing it (at home obv not in office, that would put people off their lunch).

GP will have seen many a strange thing, nothing phases them. You do need help for the anxiety though as do I.

This is more common than you think. You can get chew toys from sensory stores. Maybe that will help?

You might look around on this website: https://habitaware.com/. They make wristbands that are designed to give reminders to help stop bad habits, and even offer coaching. I know the couple who started the company, and the wife used to pull her hair out, which was the motivation to develop this all. Good luck to you!!

Im a chewer especially when stressed. I have little ends on my hoodie strings that I can safely chew. I usually have a bracket I can chew as well. I also have a pendant which I can chew.

Chewellry is a great brand and doesn't show the wear and tear. This is a pendant which has been chewed most days (I switch it between two colours) for almost 3.5 years.

Wish you luck with your GP. I'm a chewer, a biter, a picker. This helps a lot.

It's really difficult to stop long standing habits op isn't it. I have a habit of playing with my hair, didn't realise it till someone said they recognised me from the back in my car cos I was playing with my hair as I do😳
Would a short hairstyle help as you couldn't get it in your mouth then🤔

amzn.eu/d/0JMFEX2

Also can recommend spinner rings or if it's the need to pull hair then what about a fidget that pulls hair through like I've linked.

You are definitely not alone with this.

In the psychiatric field it is considered a compulsive psychological disorder So try to chill and get some help. There's obvs something tht's bothering you that is not adressed. Try to work out what it might be and get some help. I pick at my skin. so... Don't worry - it can be sorted. And it can obstruct your bowel.

for the nail problem, use hand cream and fake press nails each week, cut and file them down. wear a sensory chew necklace as well. It will be expensive but worth it

chewing gum or something from Chewigem?

For my son his chewing was very much a symptom that he wasn't coping. He's gone from shredding biros, pencils, T shirt necklines to pristine everything since he got an EHCP and started getting his needs better met in school. Beating himself up about the biros would be missing the point, in his case.