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It took me awhile to even realize that I had Trichotillomania at first, I mean years and years went by.
The signs have always been there, since I was just child, but I didn’t even know to look for signs?
What little kid is out looking for signs anyway?
Clearly my mom didn’t either or she would have probably sought help.
Signs You Have Trichotillmania?
Most of these Trichotillomania symptoms are happening on a subconscious level, I’m not even aware it’s happening right away:
- the urge to pull out hairs
- the urge to continually twist hair
- continual self grooming of hair
- urge to eat the ends of your hair.
Others pull eyelashes, eyebrows, pubic hairs – I’m only focused on the hairs on my head and really, only the left side and back of my neck!
Other BFRB’s that coincide with my Trichotillomania…
- thumbsucking
- continual skin picking
- biting nails
- picking nose
- chewing inside of mouth
- eating skin, nails and even boogers.
…and now that I have completely repulsed you… you can see why I tend to shy away from social situations.
I used to be totally unaware I do it until someone told me… awkward.
My Keen bracelets have been a really big help in this area.
They at least alert me when I’m about to do something I don’t want to do – like pull my hair out and eat it.
Besides the urges above, I also deal with a lot of insecurities from childhood that make me feel socially awkward and then when you top that off with the uneven hair, bald spots and thinning in certain areas – you can imagine I’m not feeling the most attractive most of the time.
It’s Easy To Know You Have Trich!
Trich is pretty easy to self diagnose once you see the signs.
The urge to pull being the most obvious. If you can’t stop pulling your hair, most likely, that’s a sign you have Trichotillomania!
I have to admit, I’m pretty good at multi-tasking my trich habits..
I can suck my thumb and pull hair at the same time.
You know I come to appreciate my husband a lot more now that I’ve been blogging through some of this, I mean dang, he’s put up with this for 15 years!
Wheeww…
I expend a lot of energy just trying to be normal and stop moving my hands.
I have a whole list of things I do to keep myself busy and I wear my Keen bracelets everyday (especially in social situations).
“Head up Lesley, hands down.”
I’m getting more aware of my triggers when I blog about them.
Triggers of My Trichotillomania
The first two I can manage around if I’m aware but the last one, being tired… that’s the worst and most frequent trigger.
I’m tired every day before bed, right?
That’s when it’s the worse for me because who wants to resist an urge when they’re tired?
That makes the battle harder.
Different Things I’m Trying…
- Confessing that I will overcome this by faith has been the biggest help. By changing my words, I’ve changed my attitude and perspective about all this.
- I bought Keen bracelets from HabitAware, those are totally helping make me aware of what I’m doing so I can then make the choice to stop!
- I have a list of things I do to keep myself and my hands busy now that I’m aware of where they are.
- I have faith-based journal for Trichs I’m working through to help me pin point triggers and patterns and also counteract my anxiety with scripture.
- I sleep with my hair in braids to avoid pulling my hair at night. The thing with the braids though is they’re not comfortable to sleep on and then I have hair afro in the morning.
- Most recently, I am working on a diet change to see how that helps my overall mental health because I read from a therapist that food and sleep were very important factors when it comes to treating people with Trich.
So What About You?
What signs make you think you have Trichotillomania?
Are you pulling your hair uncontrollably?
Dear Sister: I do what you do: I pull my hair (since I was 9; I am now 63); I hide it with my hairstyle; I eat my hair roots; I bite my nails to bleeding…………………….yet, Jesus came and found me when I was 19. He brought me through living for 10 years in one of the 5 most toxic cults in the country; then 16 years in a marriage with one of the cult members 8 weeks after leaving the cult. I remarried after the cult member left me and my 2 kids. He poisoned my kids against me and I have been without meaningful relationship with my kids and grandchild for 13 years. I understand anxiety. I have always had stomach problems related to anxiety. Yet I know that Jesus chose me. He found me. He renewed my hope. Even if I have no future with my family, I know I have a future in heaven. That’s my only hope. I hope you understand that when circumstances don’t work out in life, we can trust our Anchor.
Hello! Thank you so much for your message. What a testimony!! I totally agree, Jesus called me, chose me and is my Anchor!! I’m curious if the cult you’re talking about is Scientology? The part about your kids being poisoned against you made me wonder if that’s the one? You don’t have to tell me either if you don’t want too. Thank you again for your message. God bless you and make His face shine upon you!