How to stop my habit of pulling out my hair?

THanks everyone, but I’ve already been to see my doctor and the pills he prscribed me dont work, also I would find it hard to write down when I pull because I do it all of the time, I cant stop myself. It only used top be when I was on the vomputer or watching tv but now its just an everyday thing.

Dear steph14312, The habit of pulling hair falls can fall under the category of OCD: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. OCD is more than just a habit and can be address through your doctor and counselling. It can be treated and in conjunction with behaviour modification you can stop…but not without help. See a doctor asap…in the mean time write down when you do it…do you do it while watching TV, on the computer, in class etc. this will be helpful to the counsellor. Try carrying a paper clip or something similar with you and when you get the urge play with the object instead. Sue…good luck

I don’t ever actually pull any hair OUT but it feels good and relieves stress or tension when me or another person grabs a handfull at the base of my scalp and squeezes it so it all pulls up but not out. are you taking just a small amount (5-20) hairs and yanking them out? if your looking for that sensation try just grabing a whole fist full and gently pulling on it (its harder to pull out thousands of strands at a time than it is just a few) but don’t pull it out. also, you might want to get a shampoo and conditioner that will strengthen your hair so it doesn’t come out as easily. now if its not the sensation you like, but the actual action of pulling strands of hair out then that’s different, you may need hypnotism or other methods because that would fall more into a catagory of a habit like chewing your nails or smoking. good luck

yeha I tried stuff liek that, even been to a mental helth clinic, but they cant help!!

dnno wht to do now!!

you have trichotillomania (trich for short) its a compulsive dissorder that is closely linked to ocd. I’ve had it since 2nd grade, and it has completly taken over my life :( I’ve been on medicines and gone to therapy..but nothig has really helped at all. all my doctors said if you really want it to stop, you have to do it for yourself, but medicines can help..my problem is..I know its bad and I know I dont want to do it anymore, but the sensation I get when I pull it makes me feel sooo good and relaxed and its truelly a comfort for me..so its hard to give up something that makes me feeel good.

I also eat the tips of the hair when I pull it out. the white stuff on the end, im not sure what its called tho..this is a dissorder called trichophagia.

some medicines that you might want to try: 1.prozac:most doctors will perscribe this first, but it hasnt done much for me. and its also an antidepressant, but it had an opposite effect on me and made me depressed

2. respridal: this medicine has a lot of weight gaine..and it made me dizzy alll the time and I always had head rushes.

3: lithium: most doctors would only use this as a last result because it is dangerous to your heart. so they would have to moniter you twice a week, but I heard its HIGHLY affective.

-my names morgan. if you have any questions id love to help you.

It could just be a bad habit that you can stop if you put your mind to it, or … what you are experiencing might be trich (pronounced trick - short for trichotillomania). 1-5% of people have trich and it can be controlled with various medications plus possibly some behavior modification. Trich sufferers often say they feel a tenseness or pressure which is reduced or relieved by the hair pulling. Often a sufferer cannot resist the urge. It is believed to be a brain chemical misfunction.

Hope this Helps. Good Luck, Steph!

im 18 and I’ve been pulling my hair since I was 15. its called Trichotillomania or trich for sort. I know it prob seems nearly impossible to stop, and even tho is till pull, I know of ways that have helped me slightly that I think you should try. if your like me and you pull all the time weather your in public or not, its a little less helpful. I tend to pull more when im not doing anything, such a just sitting on the couch watching tv, or when im sitting at the computer, ill pull with the hand im not using on the mouse. if im at the computer I tie my hand to the arm of the chair so I dont put it to my head, since im using the other hand it distracts me from pulling my hair. another thing to do is if im sitting on the couch I wear gloves or put tap on all my finger tips so even if I do put it on my head, I cant pull. if I go out in public, I try to wear hats so my hair is covered and if I touch my head I don’t feel hair, so I wont pull. the only problem is after I do these things and my hands are free, I do pull. it seems like I cant win, but these things DO help me and I hope they help u.

omg I did this when I was younger when I was being bullied @ my junior school. I was really stressed and upset so started to pull my hair out. Luckily my mum noticed and I stopped