Dd1 is pulling her scalp hair out. Going by the re growth it started about 4 months ago. There are thin patches on her scalp around the crown. It's at the stage where it will become noticeable outside the family soon.
I'm a trich sufferer myself though its v under control compared to when I was younger and I don't think dd1 has been affected by it especially.
I've talked to dd1 very gently about it and I do her hair in a French plait every day as she thinks this helps. It calmed right down and she was consciously trying not to do it but now it seems raging again and she's pulling from her hair line. One day there was suddenly a patch missing. She has lots of baby hair so it's not noticeable but I can see it.
Her dad has just bought her some beanies to wear at home as she thinks this might help.
Really I'm terrified of this escalating. I know camhs won't consider working with her unless it's much much worse.
Dd1 is the least anxious person in the family. She's very calm and just had parents evening at her new school and it was glowing! Teachers commented she's doing fine socially. I check her phone I can't see any evidence of bullying. She comes home every day happy.....then sits around ripping her hair out.
Please help
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Child mental health
Trichotillomania please help dd12
pastypirate · 21/05/2022 06:58
jellymaker · 21/05/2022 07:19
Does she know that there are bald patches coming? Can she see them herself? My son started doing this and developed quite a big bald patch at the back of his head . As soon as I took a photo of it and showed it to him, he really tried to stop. He now pulls his fingers through his hair in a ritualistic manner but doesn't pull it out. May be seeing if she can develop a habit that is less forceful on the hair but still provides the stimulation, that would be a solution. She will need an alternative form. If you are wired to require a repetitive stimulation, is a big ask to not have anything. Hope that helps.
Littleguggi · 21/05/2022 21:36
Has she said why she does it and how it makes her feel? Does she even know she is doing it? Is she ingesting the hair after or doing anything else with it? Is she engaging in other similar behaviours such as skin picking?
That's interesting you say you are a trich sufferer yourself, as you are probably aware it can escalate quite quickly so I would seek professional help, via school pastoral or GP in first instance. If they can try and understand it better, they can make a decision on whether she needs to be seen by CAMHS.
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