Trichotillomania - ugh, why do I do it?

[NancyJoan]

Have had a three day spree, have destroyed both sides and crown. Yesterday I was Googling hypnotherapy for TTC with one hand and pulling with the other. I’ve been doing this for 35 years. Ugh.

I just wish there was a drug that would work. I would pay any amount.

Hypnotherapy will work - have you tried it or just considering it?

@Eyesopenwideawake I did years ago, it helped, but didn’t stop completely. Am prepared to give it another go though.

I randomly discovered that having acrylic nails stopped my 40 year head picking until bald and red raw. Sore and unsightly and embarrassing and the worse it got the more I did it.

I went with my daughter last Jan as a birthday treat and a few times later I'd stopped picking my cuticles red raw and my head AND have pretty nails

It's £30 a month well spent if you can afford it. But expensive for many.

When choosing who to work with, make sure you go to someone who will ensure your subconscious completely understands that the change is permanent and irreversible. Some practitioners are "one and done" which isn't always beneficial. Equally it shouldn't be open ended - most issues need around 3 sessions to ensure the changes are complete.

The BFRB (body focused repetitive disorders)foundation have some good advice.

bfrb.org/articles/list-of-strategies-for-skin-picking

I have dermatillomania and find watching YouTube vids of extractions stops me doing it to myself.

I feel you. I have this too but I don't pull on my head. It was never a problem until 2021 when it suddenly became a huge problem which is now pretty severe. I have no idea how to fix it and can't talk to a single person about it. It's awful. I'm sure its related to anxiety somehow too. I hope you manage to get the right help for this op.