Trichotillomania
Printed From: HairBoutique.com
Category: Hair Talk
Forum Name: Hair Loss
Forum Description: Support group for those suffering from hair loss.
URL: /forum_posts.php?TID=8208
Printed Date: Sep 19, 2024 at 8:42pm
Topic: Trichotillomania
Posted By: Sonialei
Subject: Trichotillomania
Date Posted: Jun 26, 2003 at 3:10pm
is anyone here familiar with Trichotillomania, and what causes this? My sister has been pulling her hair and eating the ends of it for about 15 yrs now, mostly in the crown and sides, which has caused her to have bald spots. I ask her why she does this and always answers with an "I dont know". I am concerned that she will eventually go completely bald, or that the hair will just stop growing back. I didn't even know this was a condition till I read about it in Redbook the other day. If anyone has this condition or knows where I can get more information please let me know.
Sonialei@aol.com
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Sonia Lei'
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Replies: 15
Posted By: Sonialei
Date Posted: Jun 26, 2003 at 3:10pm
is anyone here familiar with Trichotillomania, and what causes this? My sister has been pulling her hair and eating the ends of it for about 15 yrs now, mostly in the crown and sides, which has caused her to have bald spots. I ask her why she does this and always answers with an "I dont know". I am concerned that she will eventually go completely bald, or that the hair will just stop growing back. I didn't even know this was a condition till I read about it in Redbook the other day. If anyone has this condition or knows where I can get more information please let me know.
Sonialei@aol.com!,) Heh!
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Posted By: bluebee
Date Posted: Jun 26, 2003 at 3:49pm
I saw a Dateline show about this a few months ago. They showed women who had done this for years and their hair never grew back. They all had weaves or hairpieces or hats to cover the bald spots on top. Is she bald?
Do a search on it, I'm sure you'll even find a support group online. She's definitly not alone.
Habits are hard to break.
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Posted By: Sonialei
Date Posted: Jun 26, 2003 at 6:03pm
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No she isn't bald, but you can definately see where her hair appears to be very fine and thin on the top of her head, and sides... and it's a shame, she has beautiful waist length hair. Im actually surprised that her hair continues to grow after so long. She is 26 now and has been doing it since she was 10. I am curious as to what causes this, I don't know if this is just a habitual (phsycological) disorder, or if it's a lack of nutrients or poor diet that causes this. Her's hasn't become as bad a problem as others i've read about that resort to pulling out other hair such as eyebrows, underarms or pubic area... her problem is her head of hair and she is now admitting to experiencing itchy eyes, which leads to pulling of the eyelashes. She is a very bright, strong woman who can do anything she wants, except break this cycle of constant hair pulling. I've done lots of searches online, but nowhere has it been cleared up as to why this happens, and whether its a physical or mental thing. !,) Heh!
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Posted By: Karen Shelton
Date Posted: Feb 10, 2005 at 2:44pm
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Hi Carley,
Congratulations on the progress you have made in dealing with your trich. You are right...it is hard to handle this alone. There are more and more groups that are popping up to help and support fellow trich sufferers. I would suggest that you look for a local support group that you can connect with. If not, there are groups on the Web that you can visit for support via email groups.
Of course feel free to post here as often as you like.
Best wishes,
Karen Shelton
HairBoutique.com !$ Shab` dbe ,%4 b` , 8bp - )%! )-% !$ -,$`r /2
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Posted By: Jhair
Date Posted: Aug 4, 2005 at 11:52pm
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Trich is a mental/emotional disease that is a facination with the "popping" sound hair makes as it is being pulled out of the hair folicle. YES- there are people who can help! Check into different sites for more info. !)
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Posted By: LostForever
Date Posted: Aug 21, 2005 at 11:02pm
I had or have had it since fifth grade. And you're so right, Jhair, it's all
about the noise... that's why I always tried to get the thicker hairs on the
back of my part, top of my head. They were the thickest and made the
best pop... it sounds so weird to someone who has never experienced it.
but luckily, my mom made the judgment that it was only due to
boredness in class and said once I went to middle school where I could be
challenged and move around more, going to different classrooms, it
would "go away"... and it did! I still sometimes have an urge to pull out a
hair that looks thick, and I have no idea why, because I love my hair and
want as much as I can have. It's something that never leaves you.
But all of my hair grew back and I've never had a bald spot... just a bunch
of short hairs growing out for a while in the very back of my part during
sixth grade that was quite embarassing.
There is always help. I recommend not doing one activity for too long,
especially one where the hands are not used. If I feel the need to pull, I'll
play my oboe or guitar, or something where my hands are
CONTINUOUSLY in use. Not the computer because people have the urge
to pull when sites or applications are loading. THis method works with
other hand-related issues, such as nail biting or scratching due to
psoriasis/exzema.
Hope I helped!
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Posted By: romsky
Date Posted: Aug 28, 2005 at 10:40am
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Wow! You know what, I never thought that there's a 'term' with this problem, sorry for my ignorance. I never thought it exist, really. I've been dealing with this for about 15 years and I thought that I am the only soul in this green planet that has this problem, until I found out just today and the fact that 8 million Americans experiencing this disease. What a poor boy, indeed. It is such a relief to discover this! (Well, on the other side) I have my own share of this so-called "disease". I've been pullin my goddam hair since 10 years old. And I am now 25. By the way it is my biggest secret in my whole life and no one knows about it that I'm a bit bald in the crown and I'm trying to hide it using my hair on the other side, can you imagine? And also some part of my head is kinda thin. I am very pleased that some of my hair grew back through the years. But I'm fightin it now! Everytime I feel like pullin some hair, I just slap it with my other hand. Just wanna ask if I can use minoxidil/regroe to get back some hair or any other medicine. Because I heard that minoxidil/regroe is just for fallin hair, but it is not fallin hair, right? It is Trichotillomania, I mean it doesn
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Posted By: LostForever
Date Posted: Aug 28, 2005 at 11:54pm
I sent you a pm about my experience...
SNAPS for you for having the courage to face this! Keep doing what
you're doing, and soon you will wonder why you ever felt that "urge to
pull" it's like quitting smoking, or quitting drinking, or going on a diet!
the first week or so is difficult - I will not lie- but after that it becomes
easier and easier and you will finally forget about it.
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Posted By: romsky
Date Posted: Aug 29, 2005 at 4:05am
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Thank you so much. Keep in touch.
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Posted By: mandapanda
Date Posted: Sep 11, 2005 at 1:31pm
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I have been suffering from trichotillomania for about 3 years now, since I was in 8th grade. Now I'm 16 and it's really starting to become noticeable. Before I pull hair out I know that I will regret it later, but I can't resist the urge. I've heard of some really terrible cases of trich and I'm afraid that I'll do permanent damage. No one in my family knows that I do this intentionally, but my mom noticed that my hair was getting thin on top. I'm embarrassed about it. I have a very thin spot right on the top of my head, at the front of my part. Just within the last week it's gotten worse, and because of where it is I can't conceal it, especially if my hair is pulled back. Stress increases the pulling, and when I pull I get even more stressed. How can I break the cycle?
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Posted By: romsky
Date Posted: Sep 11, 2005 at 7:34pm
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I had trich too mandapanda as you can read my post up there. you know it's just a matter of self control, yeah i know it's easier said that done but the willingness to do it. wear something that you know you can't touch your hair like a cap, bonet and stuff. c'mon baby you can do it. good luck!
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Posted By: maz1
Date Posted: Oct 7, 2005 at 6:21am
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hi there-i too live with tric for nearly 20 years and its ruining my life. has any one got any advice please!!
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Posted By: LostForever
Date Posted: Oct 10, 2005 at 6:49pm
Like I posted earlier, I understand "the urge" but whatever you do, don't
give into it! Imagine yourself with a full head of hair - do you really want
to give up on that? And then slowly move your hands to below your waist
and find something to do that involved keeping your hands constantly in
motion. Such as playing an instrument, knitting or making a collage.
You get a lot of crafts done this way too. LOL. Take up knitting and
make a scarf for each of your friends on their birthdays!
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Posted By: Hairlost
Date Posted: Nov 26, 2005 at 11:07am
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Has your sister seen a Dr? One of my friends has a cousin (female) who has trich. Dr. put her on some meds (Prozac I think) which seems to be helping. In the meantime, she wears an integration hair piece to conceal the spots that are bare.
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Posted By: mandapanda
Date Posted: Nov 26, 2005 at 1:44pm
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In the last few months, my hair pulling has gotten really bad. I've had a lot of stress because of switching schools, and I've pulled out a lot of hair around my hairline. It's very noticeable. I finally decided to stop and haven't pulled at all for weeks, but the hair isn't growing back yet. Does anyone know when my hair will start to grow back? I'm starting to get discouraged and worried that my hair will never look the same.
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Posted By: mayeuxsherri
Date Posted: Mar 5, 2007 at 2:01pm
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In response to everyone who posted comments regarding trichotillomania - go to the website www.trich.org. You will wonder how you ever survived without it. My granddaughter (who lives with me) is 10 years old and suffers with it. She pulled out all of her hair. You will find the support and information you need on this website!
SHERRI
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