Trichotillomania (hair pulling)

[BizzieLizzy]

I've just noticed dd aged 11 has a narrow bald spot running along her parting at the crown. Turns out

she has been pulling it out. She does this, she says, when she is 'concentrating', particularly reading. She says it's not enjoyable and she hardly realises she's doing it.

I know this is an addictive behaviour. She has lovely hair, very long and thick. There is stubble in the bald spot. I want it to grow back. I've told her she needs to get out of the habit and fast and I've offered her a tenner if in four weeks I look a the patch and the hair is coming back with no more pulling.

I'm really worried about this. Has anyone got any experience of it?

Thanks in advance.

My daughter does this, she is 15 and has done it for probably coming up for a year.

We can't offer her a financial incentive but I doubt it would work anyway. She has been having counselling sessions which I don't feel have helped but she says they do. She says she isn't doing it as much as she used to. She rarely knows when she is doing it.

I am a bit frustated with it as I would have thought that seeing the impact it has on her hair would give her a reason to stop but it obviously isn't as easy and straight forward as that. I think the counselling is trying to find out why she does it in the first place to then see if they can put some sort of plan in place to get her to stop

I know others on here have much more experince of it than me so they may come along with more advice for you.

I just posted on a thread about this yesterday. Here's my reply, c&p'd as I'm a bit lazy today .

My dd went through this with her eyelashes. I was shocked & told her to stop, but she didn't. So I searched on here and there's lots of good advice on old threads. Have a look. I also did my own net research.

I discussed it with her and tried to figure out trigger times (in bed when trying to fall asleep). Then I took the advice I found and pretended it was nothing when I noticed it again. I didn't make a big deal of it in front of her. Told her lightly to try not to do it but not to worry if she did . She hasn't now in a month or so. If it returns or worsens I will seek advice from gp.

Try not to worry...it's distressing to witness but I think you have to seem calm in front of him. It is not entirely uncommon. I read on here that some children eat it and on occasion it can be linked to iron deficiency (disclaimer-I'm not stating that as fact, just hearsay). At the end of the day, if u have continuing worries seek advice from
gp.

sorry to read this, my experience maybe isnt great and I did wonder whether to reply but I thought maybe I can help. I hope so.

I started this when I was in my late teens and to a degree still do it, although its not noticable.
For me, its part of OCD I think! My parents never asked me about it despite the fact I had a massive bald spot at one time, so im glad your daughter has you.

I would be inclined to visit the gP if it continues, but hopefully at this age it will be easier to stop than if it startts later, it was something i used to do as a student when I was studying.

I have done this before, but pulled out from underneath.
Usually when very stresed.

The first GP we went to was a waste of space!! Just towards the end of the summer term, and she told us to go to the school nurse! She was given worry stones and those tangle toys to keep her hands occupied!

Doctors then retired and our surgery merged with another one and other doctor much more sympathetic and got the ball rolliing on the counselling.

I try not to make a big thing about it, only when she comments about how she can style it as it sort of looks a bit odd at times.

I have done this since I was a teenager. I started with eye lashes and then moved on to my hair. I still do it (am now nearly 40), but I do it from underneath so it doesn't show. I wish I didn't do it, but I have learnt to control it so at least it doesn't show and to be honest there are worse addictions.

Many thanks for replies. I feel awful about it. Dh and I are in the process of separating. We are still under the same roof and civil, but house is being sold, and I'm buying one. So lots of stress at the moment. I can't help feeling it's my fault that she's doing this.

It's not your fault. I do it too and have done periodically for years.

It is addictive & even though I know I shouldn't, sometimes I just can't help it. My 4 year old daughter tells me to stop or I'll have no hair left!

I dread to think of her copying me.

hello- just wondered whether you'd seen this site school.ocdaction.org.uk/young-people/ as it might have some advice for your dd. x