Pulling eye lashes

[Minky35]

My DD has a bad habit of pulling eye lashes, she’s really upset and I’m worried as she’s been doing it on & off for a year now. She’s just broke down tonight after admitting what seems like a large / noticeable episode and she’s got a huge chunk missing.
Has anyone for experience of this?
She’s been lying about not doing it and telling us she’s stopped but obviously not. She says seeing her reflection makes her do it😢 Any advice welcomed.... please help.

It's quite common but it would be an idea to seek some support for her as it can develop to pulling head hair too. It can be a fairly quick piece of work I believe.

I'd take her to the GP and see if they'll refer to CAMHS. They could possibly do some work around the habit itself but also anxiety.

I know someone who does this and she often doesn't even realise she's doing it until someone points it out.

Thanks, But she’s gone hysterical at the suggestion of getting help from the doctors.
Jesus this has happened right under my nose and I had no idea.

How old is she?

11

It's called trichotillomania. Try to get her treatment while she is still young, because it gets harder and harder as you get older.

Is she anxious/stressed about anything?

She’s generally quite anxious and low in confidence. I wouldn’t say she’s stressed though.

How would she feel about you having a chat with the GP?

It really is something that it would be good to tackle now. If she's a worrier any way then it's a good time to gather some tools for dealing with anxiety and pressure over the teen years and exam times.
CAMHS can often be flexible with venues if she was willing to see them. They'll go to school and often see young people in children's centres rather than just in clinics and hospitals.

I must admit I've always been a bit if an eyelash tugger. I like the sensation. I've given up with extensions because I just can't leave them alone.
I might sound naive but is it that big of a deal or is there more to it? When I was a teenager my DF used to go mad about me doing it. My DM just ignored it and I grew out of it in the main. I still like the odd tug now and then especially when I am tired.

Please take her to the doctors even though she doesn’t want to go. As an adult I wish my parents had done this.

@Ladybirdbookworm it's often part of a wider problem and not just a harmless habit and it can escalate. I've met people who have pulled out huge amounts of head hair.

After some more discussion it seems a group of them at school had been talking about it, one boy in particular saying how nice it felt and she re-started doing it again 😞.
I think I may go to the GP’s myself to ask about it. She’s pulled a very noticeable chunk out of the centre of one eye over 2 days so I don’t want it to escalate. Thanks to all who have responded.

I used to do this but hen I was 16 I just realised one day that I’d never be able to wear mascara if I didn’t stop so I did, I stopped biting my nails at the same time. It’s not always an illness sometimes it’s just a habit so try not to worry too much.

Please get her some help. I started doing it age 14 and have been for 15 years now. I'm really trying to stop now but it's so hard. Sometimes I don't even realise I'm doing it. It gets worse when I'm stressed or anxious so please help her. There's probably something else going on as well.