Trichotillomania

[Kissisforpirate]

I'm on the waiting list for cbt for what the counsellor described as trich symptoms - i pull my chin hairs and it feels compulsive.
I'm currently really frustrated at not being able to start the sessions now and kind of disgusted with myself for mucking up my chin so much.
Has anyone else had cbt for trich? What did it involve? And did you get better?

Hi I have tric - I've pulled my hair on my head for a long time. I've not had cbt but if you google trichotillomania
there is a website with lots of self help information which you may find useful whilst waiting for CBT. Good luck

I'm 30 and have pulled the hair on my head since I was 7. I wish I didn't but I can't stop. I asked for cbt and got referred except the first 2 sessions were just normal counselling sessions so never went back. Might have to go private. Is it only your chin you pull from? What do you mean by "muck it up"? I think cbt will work so good luck :)

Hello, I've pulled my hair since childhood. I've never had any therapy, I discovered I stop doing it if I keep my hair very short. This is obviously not a solution if you're not comfortable with very short hair.

If I had chin hairs I'd pull them out and wouldn't expect to be diagnosed with anything for doing so. When you say 'mucking up' your chin, are you picking rather than pulling the hairs out and leaving scabs or scars?

My chin is a scarred mess from trying to dig the hairs out. Its compulsive it interferes with my life. It's prompted by stress and it's a relief when I pull one out and then I get wound up again and the cycle starts again. It is not prompted by concerns about how I look.
After discussion with the therapist at my referral he said i displayed trich symptoms but after googling i can't find many other ppl that only pull at chin hairs.

If you're causing skin damage and it's affecting your life then it's a problem. I wouldn't get too hung up on which particular hairs you are digging out, it's the same compulsion and I have heard CBT can be very effective.

Have you had any hormonal investigations? I know facial hair is quite normal for women a lot of the time but there might be an underlying cause and therefore something they can do to reduce the problem.

It can be any hairs...eyebrow, head, leg, public and in your case...chin. doesn't matter where it is but it is tric and this is exactly what myself and other other posters do and feel.
I started cross stitch to keep my hands busy. I think you need to be aware when you are doing it so you can focus on Not doing it. I'd be interested to know how you get on with cbt though as I've always wanted to try it

It's definitely trich and the digging Hayes out sounds v familiar to me - also a trich sufferer. Cbt helped with anxiety but didn't stop trich st all.

Thank you.