I’m okay with my Trichotillomania

[kippytalk]

I have severe anxiety/stress challenges while also living with bi-polar disorder and Trichotillomania. My Trichotillomania started with plucking my eyebrows then eyelashes - and only over plucked one of my eyebrows and thankfully stopped my plucking my eyelashes soon after beginning. But now I’ve turned to a ‘safer’ option of plucking a patch of hair on my leg. I find this area safer as theres less room for error, people wont notice it, and i can shave my legs and any strange leg hair patterns go with it. I’m aware that this is not a good habit, and the logical part of my brain tells me not to do it. But the sense of relief I get from doing it does seem helpful, and it provides somewhat a level of comfort and anxiety relief that allows me to go back to what i was doing. But I have at times been consumed for hours by this which doesn’t feel good. Part of me thinks ‘This isn’t so bad of a habit.’ because of the ‘reward’ ie sense of relief… but the other part of me knows this could potentially get worse or spiral out of control.

I need some good advice based on experience and facts that will help me before its possibly too late. Will this get worse or am I feeding my addiction ‘safely’?

[Croix]

Dear Kippytalk~

I have had something similar but not as severe. When stressed I used to twist my hair and tug hard -but not hard enough ot pull it out. This of course hurt and I came to the conclusion it was a response to my anxiety conditon and being in a state heightened stress or worry at the time.

I'm not sure why, maybe the hurt was a means of taking my mind away from constantly going over the same worry all the  time. I had some control in that when I realized I was doing it, or it was pointed out by someone else, I'd stop, but as soon as I was distracted would start again.

My psychiatrist know of this but did not take any action about it as I was being treated for PTSD, depression and anxiety, which was quite enough to cope with.

The good news was as my conditon improved the habit went away and although it did return at times has not recurred for years.

It sounds that you have taken sensible steps for this not to be obvious to others, which was always something that embarrassed me, but I am worried about those occasions when you do it for hours.

You also do not seem happy with this -worrying about what it might lead to - even though it can provide you with a measure of relief at times. As a result my I ask if you have mentioned this to a medical professional? I understand there are therapies that might help, although I'm guessing treating the underlying anxiety condition might be the best path - what do you think?

Croix

[Fern42]

Hi Kipptalk,

Have you tried some other activities that might give you some relief/comfort in alternative to pulling your leg hairs? It might not be to the same level however breaking that cycle with a healthier comfort activity might help over time? Do you like listening to music, or going for a walk out in nature, doing some other activity that gives you enjoyment and can potentially work as a distraction? It's about breaking that cycle of desire and replacing it with a healthier coping mechanism. Could you brain storm some ideas?