anyone else obsessively pick at their skin / pull out their hair? (dermatillomania & trichotillomania) i just had an episode of both and i’m so tired of it like i want to stop but i can’t 😭

Just pulled a piece of my hair out right now before reading your post. I didn’t know that was a thing. I just assumed it was a bad habit.

yes i only found out it was a year ago! google it you’ll have a better understanding. Trichotillomania also sorry you deal with this as well

I have Trichotillomania... Had it for years but it's gotten really bad the last 6 mos. It controls my life

same, sorry to hear you’re struggling too. hoping we can all overcome this!

I’m 30 and I really struggle with trich. And skin picking as well. I have gone thru really bad anxiety episodes where I pull my hair and have to cover it up by wearing head scarves or hats. It is very frustrating. There are periods of time where I let it grow back bc of the guilt/ shame I feel for pulling in the first place. However, its not really something I feel I can control. Working with an ocd specialist and a trichotillomania specialist has helped me find some coping skills to help with it, but it is definitely a subtype of OCD and has its challenges. I have found some of the best suggestions given to me are to get a fidget toy that has a similar texture to hair(I bought “monkey noodles” on Amazon), wear cotton gloves in situations where I am most likely to pull/pick, or to put hair gel, water, or even numbing gel on scalp to change hair texture or numb the scalp( bc pulling is very much a sensory compulsion, my therapist said this would help). Let me know if you have any suggestions or coping tools you use to help avoid pulling. Struggling with trichotillomania is not an all or nothing thing, I try to think positive thoughts like “progress, not perfection” because there are days I slip and get discouraged or mad at myself for acting on the compulsion.

it’s so frustrating especially when it comes to people who *don’t* struggle with this. they don’t understand and their always like “just stop” . that just makes it worse!!! like if i could just stop i would have a long time ago!!!! also i have a fidget and some stress balls i need to take advantage of using them more because as i said my hair pulling and skin picking is persistent and some days worse. sorry you’re also dealing with all of this. hoping it gets better! glad we can all relate!!

Thank u for ur reply! I appreciate ur suggestions. For it wasn't an issue really just something I did when I was anxious but 6 months ago it got worse. I had long curly hair now I have to wear a ball cap or bandana every day... I have a bandana in EVERY color! I have one strand in the back that I braid to keep from pulling! I'm too ashamed to tell people. I don't date and I'm afraid to get a job bc I know people will talk about me? So I'm staying w my sister w no money and no life for myself. I can stay here much longer? Everything I've read leads to shaving my head being the only option?! I refuse!

@amymarlo78 i understand you are not alone. don’t be afraid to talk to people about it, that is the first step!! especially talking to people who understand what you’re going through!!! i’m looking forward to speaking with a therapist here and hoping it helps me! have you considered trying that?

@kayla mierzejewski Yes... I am too. I hope it helps too.I have some new growth and for some reason I don't feel the need to pull there? Only strands that feel different to me? But I'm learning how to keep it under control so I don't self destruct again! Thank u I will let u know of any progress. Know u r not alone and u have me to talk to!😀

I have a sore under my chin and I can't stop picking. I keep wanting to stop too You arent alone

it’s so hard!!! hoping it gets better for you! glad we can relate

There’s a name for this? I have soo many scars on my body. I pick at my skin absentmindedly sometimes, but even more when I’m anxiously working on an assignment or ruminating. Come to Think of it, it makes sense that there’s a name for something like this lol. Learn something new every day!

yes! I only found out about it a year ago and it all makes sense now

@kayla mierzejewski Yes! When I found out there was a name for it and that it's not just me is when I felt a bit of hope!

I am sorry that you guys struggle with this too but am glad we can relate and talk openly about it. If anyone wants to talk about it or needs tips on how to deal with active trichotillomania or helping new hair growth message me bc I have been pulling for 9 years and know of pretty much every option out there for helping to cover bald spots or helping with new hair growth.

If u have any tips on helping new growth that would be VERY helpful!?