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Trichotillomania

7 replies

Becky274 · 19/11/2021 16:22

Hello, was just reaching out I suppose. Does anyone suffer from this? Particularly pulling lashes? I’ve had this for the last 20 years and I’m just so fed up. I literally will pull my eyelashes until there are none left / just stumps. Having false lashes applied individually does help but they’re expensive to maintain and I don’t have the time for infills all the time. Any tips on how to overcome this? I have periods where I try to stop pulling and they get marginally better, but I feel I’ve damaged them beyond repair to a point now. Anyone else?

OP posts:
ShinyBeans · 22/11/2021 16:17

Hello lovely! Yes I have this. You can try barrier methods such as gloves, plasters on your fingers, vaseline on your lashes etc. They can be helpful but they don't tend to get to the crux of the issue.

Have you tried keeping a journal to see where the patterns are in when you're getting the urge to pull? I find it also helps to record when you don't want to pull too. You might find that exercise helps, or that sitting in front of the TV in the evenings is a trigger time. Sugar and caffeine tend to increase urges, so you could try reducing these.

When you've been able to identify a few trigger areas, try making small changes to your routine and keep fiddle toys/gloves/puzzles (whatever works for you to keep your hands occupied) next to the sofa/in your glove box etc.

It takes time, but the more you can pull the habit out of your subconscious so that you're aware each time you go to pull, the easier it will get to try to do something else, and gradually retrain the behaviour.

Another thing to note: women tend to be prone to an increase in urges at certain points in their menstrual cycle. So log that too. Days 1 and 14 are the most common points for urges to increase. Day 1 is the first day of bleeding.

Eyelashes can be especially difficult during regrowth too. They can feel scratchy and irritable and it's easy to start touching, but then that can lead to pulling. Try putting the back of a metal spoon to your eye if they're feeling sore. I know it sounds silly, but it soothe the area and keep your fingers away. The regrowth period doesn't last forever, but it can be really tough to get through.

Bunnyfuller · 23/11/2021 22:45

I have this, not eyelashes but eyebrows and hair generally. I’m very fair, and 54, so getting used to pencilling in the eyebrows.

My triggers are stress, boredom and I do find it soothing. Mine started initially when I had chickenpox, around age 10, finding the spots, but really took off with a bout of head lice, trying to find the eggs (before I knew they were eggs). I’d caught the nits from the first boyfriend I fell for and he did the dirty on me, so all kinds of psychological shite at the root! That was many, many years ago, and I only put a name to it a year ago. My kids go mad at me if they catch me!

Anordinarymum · 23/11/2021 22:51

I am not sure what it is that triggers mine, but once I start it is so hard to stop. The last time I was immersed in this I saw a bald patch on the back of my head in a video my daughter took on her 'phone, and it shocked me into stopping.

Just thinking about it makes me want to start again.

Schmoozer · 23/11/2021 22:57

Me - I break my hair rather than pulling from root

SummerSazz · 23/11/2021 22:57

My daughter has been diagnosed with this (eyebrows/eyelashes and hair on arms and legs). She's been assessed by CAHMS but >yr waiting list for CBT. We are now going private.

She has been recommended to keep a journal to see if anything hormonal or stresses (school timetable on a certain day being stressful etc). Also using fiddle toys in her pocket to play with rather than hair pulling.

thenewduchessofhastings · 23/11/2021 23:05

Me however I pull hair off elsewhere;I don't even know I'm doing it most of the time.I've had a lot of stress and trauma to deal with these last few years;I don't even know when it started really

TracyHorrobin · 23/11/2021 23:14

I have this. I am 100% convinced it is hormone related. It began when I went through puberty. Since the menopause (I am now 57) I pull much less frequently. I have always pulled when I have been stressed. Only ever hair on my head so cannot offer any advice on pulling from other areas. My sister doesn't have trich but has always "twiddled" her hair and ties it in knots. Not sure if this is related.
Hopefully you will pull less as you age

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