Help- why am I doing this?

[Anxietyhelp765]

sorry just posting here in case anyone has any advice or has been in a similar position

I’ve always been a crazily worried/nervous/anxious type of person. I usually end up doing figetty sort of things like biting or picking my nails or my skin around my nails, that sort of thing. But recently I’ve started eating my hair. I don’t know why I’ve been doing it- it just started randomly and it’s absolutely disgusting both from a hygiene point of view and from an appearance point of view but I’m doing it without even realising now. Work is really stressful right now (I’m a trainee) and yesterday it was noticed 3 times by my boss. To be fair she wasn’t at all out of order about it, she was really nice, she just said not to do it but it was more because she’s a friend (not as if she was giving me in trouble for it as my boss, if that makes sense) but what concerns me is that without her flagging it up to me, I didn’t even realise I was doing it. I think I’m doing it in my sleep as well now too because I wake up with hair in my mouth and I’ve got a bit of hair that’s much much shorter now.

it’s absolutely disgusting and also really embarrassing and I don’t know why I’ve started or how to stop☹️ I’ve tried towing my hair back or tightly braiding it back but when I’m nervous I pull bits down without even realising it (I’ve always done that) but now I’ve started eating it too

even just typing that makes me feel totally crazy and absolutely disgusting. who the f eats their own hair?

has anyone else ever done this before and have any advice? It’s embarrassing and disgusting and I don’t want to end up one of those people having to get a hairball taken out their stomachs x

From a practical point of view, can you tie your hair back into a bun so you can't get at your hair? I would also make an appointment with your GP, to discuss your stress and mental health? You may need to take some sick leave to reset. Try and keep as active as you can, try meditation/rest breaks and be kind to yourself.

@MotherofChaosandDestruction ‘s wonderful reply contains everything I think you need to know.

I agree with @MotherofChaosandDestruction that tackling this at source is your best bet. Seeking help with dealing with your anxiety will get to the route of your problem.

I used to twiddle my hair when I was younger. I think it's a self soothing thing and I see other people doing it too so you're not alone. I don't do it any more and can't think what stopped it....maybe leaving my parents home where things weren't always easy and I had little control of my situation.

Don't worry about this. You can solve it.

Thanks, yeah I tried tying it back into a really tight bun but I still end up pulling at bits of it out the bun and then end up eating it and I don’t even realise I’m doing it until it’s too late ☹️

Hey OP. I suffered from this reaction to anxiety as an early teen. I kinda grew out of it as my family told me off every single time they saw me doing it. I wouldn’t recommend this approach tbh, it wasn’t very supportive and I don’t think I ever got over the anxiety. I would see if you can get any kind of psychiatric support? Your GP could even help with medication while you work on the underlying issues? It’s called Trichophagia if you want to read about it. Don’t despair, you can overcome this.