Living With Trichotillomania

[TrichManiaGurl]

any girls needing help with trich, I have it and want to help other girls with it! visit my blog at trichmaniagurl.blogspot.com!!

[BananaPhone502]

I pulled out my eyelashes and theyr not growing back... Please help!

[pictureNaVoice]

I HAVE TRICH. THIS VID HURT MY FEELINGS. HE WAS HEARTLESS. JUST A TYPICAL BEING WHO DOSENT UNDERSTAND

[DontMuteMusic]

I have this and my eyebrows look all patchy :/

[Mikeatike]

Oh my gosh I do pull my hair!

[luckyvan2]

I had this from 8-9 til I was 15yrs.One day I was looking through Seventeen magazine and saw this really pretty girl(it was the makeup area of the magazine) putting on mascara and I remember thinking I want to know what that is like so from that day forward I set my mind to it never to pull my eyelashes out ever again and it worked for me.I've not pulled one hair out anywhere since I was 15yrs old and its been almost 10yrs now and I'm so proud of myself.It took me about 6-7mo 2get them back

[ehomefry17]

i like the crounchy end of my hair!! he looks like toby from the office lol

[gamezonic]

people with divorced parents, tend to have it more than people without divorced/separated parents.

[welcome159ify]

I don't know what i'm going to do I've had this condition for 9 months now . But I heard prozac usually helps and decreases the urge.

[VentoMan92]

Your scalp so you don't end up butchering one part of your head. I plan on trying rogaine very soon so I'd love to hear I'd anyone has had any success with that. I figure that if I see my hair growing back fast then I won't want to pull from my head. If anyone wants to talk just let me know.

[VentoMan92]

I've had trich since third grade and still do. I comes and goes in waves I just got done with a bad one so the top of my head is pretty patchy and I hate it. I shaved my head to try to make it look better but I didn't like it so know I just wear a hat whenever I'm in public. Luckily I have wonderful parents and an amazing girlfriend who are always trying to keep me in check haha. The vest advice I can give is that if you do have to pull then make sure that you're constantly moving around on you

[TheLostgirl11]

The worse part for me if my hair is almost all the way in but the middle part.

[TheLostgirl11]

I've been doing it for 6 years now I started when I was ten and I want to find someone who respects me for who I am

[NightStalker321a]

So great, I just really started this within the last year...now I'm finding out I'm screwed for life? I haven't started on my head...but, now I'm worried.

[hanneyboo]

i've had trich for two years now and im 14 now. i was litteraly bald right before my exams. ive taken control over it and gone to acupuncture. it has helped a lot but still fully cured .

[iramaguirre1]

If your a boy, the best thing to stop doing it for a while is cut your hair really really small not like rapper haha a little bit more long but yeah.. that's what I do to stop doing it cause when i have "long" hair I just cant stop touching my hair

[JustBeingMeNdUBeinU]

Please listen all trichitillomania sufferers!!! I have found a way to control my urges, I have been pulling my eyelashes and eyebrows for 10 years, now like most of you, I guess, it is down to stress! I have found that a course of acupuncture really helped, I went to a chines medicine shop I have regular acupuncture , maybe once a week for 6 weeks, and a course of de-stressing tablets that I took everyday for the entire course that she recommended, I can honestly say it changed my life, instead

[acidbunny247]

Well I just told my dad about my problem and all he did was yell at me. I hate people :/

[Johazzz]

@acidbunny247

I know how hard it's to u!

:( but u have to remember u r not alone notice the many videos about youtube, read all this comments.. ppl feel how u feel! i do! Ppl act like dat cos they're ignorants!

Be strong! I have 6 months pull free! And 10 years w/trich!

[Johazzz]

@acidbunny247 @acidbunny247

I know how hard it's to u!

:( but u have to remember u r not alone notice the many videos about youtube, read all this comments.. ppl feel how u feel! i do! Ppl act like dat cos they're ignorants!

Be strong! I have 6 months pull free! And 10 years w/trich!

[welcome159ify]

@acidbunny247 I know right? the same happened with me and my mom, I told her about my problem and she just yelled at me wanted to put me in a stupid mental hospital. :(

[smallblueclouds]

@acidbunny247

Google N-Acetylcysteine (sometime called NAC) - it's an amino acid available at most health food stores - stick the words N-Acetylcysteine and trichotillomania into Google.

[LilSoul118]

@smallblueclouds how effective is this ? =\

[smallblueclouds]

@LilSoul118

"how effective is this ? =\"

Would you like a percentage of how effective it is ?

[LilSoul118]

@smallblueclouds umm, yh :]

[smallblueclouds]

@LilSoul118

"umm, yh :]"

I don't understand either of the two 'words' that make up your response.

: (

[acidbunny247]

I've had this since like 1st grade (I was like 7 or 8) now I'm 13 . As 7 I pulled out eyelashes but now I've stopped that (somehow) and now I pull my hair from my scalp and I can't take this any more. It's so sad and it's ruining my life! People r noticing small growing back strands and it's keeping me from being social and I'm trying to keep from doing this I just don't know how to do this. I'm afraid to tell my mom about this but I'll try..

[nicoll2106]

FOR EVERYONE WITH TRICH: If you do it while watching TV like me, it helps to rap your arms around a really big stuffed animal. Like your hugging someone. It really calms me down and I hope it will help others.

If you have something that helpes you, i hope you give me a response!

[df2764]

This is why I pull my eyebrows:

I started pulling them because my eyebrows were really bold when i was little, so my friend always said: ' You have hair there on you eyeball' or whatever and hers was always perfect. So I started to pull cos i thought i had too much hair. Not just because of that, but because my bro had a habit of biting his nails and he said it was nice so i wanted to try this, and it feels nice. Most ppl say it hurts, but i dont get it. If you want to read more thers a reply

[df2764]

@df2764 And not just because of that, because I was and still am very stressed. I went to 2 primary schools, I moved school and thats when I rlly started to stress, my results werent gd. So i went to bed and said to myself: 'I wonder what its like to move school, move house and move country' every night, but that actually did happen to me. I already moved school and moved house to a different country. Life's hard. If you want to read more thers a reply.

[df2764]

@df2764 I normally got bad scores but when i did, i always pulled it. My parents worry about me but they dont know it's trich. When i got good scores, i dont pull. sometimes when i try and pull, i cant so it goes red and i secretly get the tweezers. I used to have tweezers and my eyebrows were alright, but then my parents took it away so now it's bold and i have a fringe. Every second i push my fringe down just in case some1 sees my eyebrows. If you want to read more theirs a reply.

[df2764]

@df2764 My eyebrows had gone worse becos i cant pull it out at the right place so i pull all of it out, nd i get stressed and do it more. (Im doing it now) I had it, then it stopped and i looked beautiful, now it started again.. I WANT IT TO STOP!! If you can, I would like you to reply and tell me how you feel and how YOU think it happened. NOT ANYONE ELSE. They might be wrong, you know yourself best, and you should always trust yourself. :)

[df2764]

@df2764 Oh yh and I have OCD. (Not extreme OCD or alot, just a bit) I needed everything to be perfect, and trying to do it to my eyebrows, and it goes wrong, just like a painting! 

[madiihasbieberfever]

hes stupid

[Ktyson0625]

i was diagnosed wit trich wen i was 7 yrs old, i am now going on 20... i hav learned that my trich is triggered by my stress levels. i mainly pull from my head. i call my pull spots "hot spots" cuz of how frequently i pull from certain areas. everyday is a struggle especially since i pull unconsiously. but i am trying an hav come 2 learn various signs that tell that i hav or am abt to pull... best advice is to monitor how often u pull an c if it is linked 2 ur mood/ stress

[Ktyson0625]

I am going on 20yrs old. i hav been struggling wit this disorder since i was 7. i hav tried therapies, medds, and even behavioral skool. everyday it is a struggle. i constantly fight myself, trying to resist the many earges i hav to pull. i do hav certain spots that i pull, i call them my "hot spots." i pull from my head, eyebrows, an eyelashes.... i hav learned that my trich is triggered by my stress level

[nothesame244]

I am so embarrassed and afraid to tell my mom about my hair problem... I hate not pulling the hairs off of my head,but I only pull the hairs that look weird or are sticking out.When I try to stop myself from the yanking then I get very frustrated and annoyed and sometimes nervous because of the hair isnt gone. Also i do this "yanking" at school and I HATE when people point it out to me, when they ask me to stop because its freaking them out then I get so frustrated and yank even faster... ugh :(

[Since1907baby]

yo it sucks ass when you go through high school with this....those are the years your supposed to build who you are and start believing in yourself...its madd hard to be confident when everybody hates you and thinks your a freak...and when you sincerely believe you are crazy...for me...ive been off for like 4 or 5 years...but i still have confidence isues from being used to thinking im a freak

[TehChelsify]

I've had this since i was 7, i am now 19. It's uncontrolling due to the high anxiety and stress in my life, i wish it would just end. It's it truly makes me miserable. I would easily shell out hundreds of dollars for a wig just to be able to look normal :(

[oprahdiva]

I'm over all that stuff for real I still pull out my hair but I don't care any more.

[mickey9105]

im 14 and if had trich for over 7 yrs.... i pull my eyelashes out n i hate myself for it.i try to hide it but its hard specialy when people look at you up close.my parents know what it is but just dont understand n as i keep doin it i find myslef getting more upset n keeping this more to myslef.. the only people who know of my medical issue is my closet friend. i wish i could get out and tell everyone in the world the issue with it because therr r kids like me who feel alone like ther is no help

[robvandamrocks]

@mickey9105 Can you inbox me for info I have the same problem my friend in in 8th grade used to pull my hair now it is my eye lashes

[mickey9105]

@robvandamrocks yepp i think i inboxed yea hah i hope you got it if not you can call me just haha dont give my num out to any others haha 701-690-6919 n yes haha my really name is mickey haha

[mickey9105]

@robvandamrocks yea haha i think i inboxed you haha you can call me at 701-690-6919 if you wanna talk instead of this email thing haha i hope i can help

[dstelterlukowski]

@mickey9105 my 9yr old daughter pulls out her eyelashes and eyebrows. she is devastated and "her heart hurts" afterwards. that is the worst part for me - her anguish. we've been to many specialists and finally found a good "fit" . She's doing well right now, but this most likely be something she will deal with for the rest of her life. The Trichotillomania Learning Center is a great resource for doctors, tricks and tips. I feel for you and wish you well...

[mickey9105]

@dstelterlukowski thnx you n yes ik my "heart hurts too" it is difficult and i hope your 9yr old daughter the best n that it gets better tell her for me to keep her head held high n dont give up :)

[Since1907baby]

@dstelterlukowski not true, I had it myself and did a lot of research, she will battle it for a while (up to 10 years maybe) but eventually she will stop for good, trust me. I had it from 12 till 18. Be supportive because its a battle worse than that of those with genetic mutations. They are publicly shamed too, but they don't blame themselves for it, victims of circumstance. Since we "do it to ourselves", we hate ourselves, lose self-trust and feel hopeless as it is a battle we will fight alone

[TheMissMellaBella]

i pull out my eyebrows.. they are so ugly now..... i hate myself for it. i dont even realize im doing it untill i have bald spots in my brows.

[bdrpsarah2000]

I have that and I wear s wig

[hotboi28]

Yes, I do have Trichotillomania. I had it since my GrandMa pasted away Two Days after my 14th B'Day, & it Sucks Big Time. This is a Secret I had for the Past 19 Years. I had to come out about this. This is my Story. Thank You for Reading this. From Ray "J"

[tanmanhabsfan]

i have this since gr 3 and im in gr 7 now it really sucks

[JackRussellTerrier2]

This is a response to another video on the subject as well as this and any others.

I pull on my eyelashes just to remove the ones which might fall into my eye. And who wants an eyelash falling into their eyes? I pulled them out in high school when I was wearing contact lenses and I may have done so before that. Scratch that, I know I did. Does that mean I have trichotillomania? I've always tried to pull out any hairs which have fallen out or are about to. And about those under stress...

[JackRussellTerrier2]

This is a response to another video on the subject as well as this and any others.

I pull on my eyelashes just to remove the ones which might fall into my eye. And who wants an eyelashes falling into their eyes? I pulled them out in high school when I was wearing contact lenses and I may have done so before that. Scratch that, I know I did. Does that mean I have trichotillomania? I've always tried to pull out any hairs which have fallen out or are about to. And what about stress?

[constantrecoil]

@JackRussellTerrier2

That is how I started. I used to just rub my eyelashes to brush out any loose ones. I did this for years. Then I started feeling for the ones that felt weird either they were too thick or short or something. Now I have large sections of each eye where my lashes are very sparse and whenever they start to grow back I pull them.

Removing the loose ones may not mean you have this, but it may mean you should pay careful attention to what you're doing.

[JackRussellTerrier2]

@constantrecoil Point well taken, and thnk you for the input.

[stardustlia]

I have trich and when I was a kid, my mom would single me out in front of everyone and ask if I want to go 'see a fucking shrink' and then my brother would yell at me and cuss. More than a decade later I still never got help or sought information because they made me feel worthless and ashamed.

[jknapps]

@stardustlia - I have it too and when you think about possible causes of an "anxiety disorder" , perhaps your family may be at the whole root of the problem (no pun intended!). That is so horrible for you to have to be treated like that.

[bl0mst]

I've gone through trich- still do, but most of my eyebrows and eyelashes (which was what I pulled) have returned. My rescue = band aids. I'd put band aids on all of my fingers that way I would be more aware of my fingers and I couldn't grasp hair as easilly, but still do everything else. Now I only wear them on my thumbs, and it works splendidly.

Just remember that you are beautiful - hair or not. You're not alone - we're all in this together. :) x

[bl0mst]

I've gone through trich- still do, but most of my eyebrows and eyelashes (which was what I pulled) have returned. My rescue = band aids. I'd put band aids on all of my fingers that way I would be more aware of my fingers and I couldn't grasp hair as easilly, but still do everything else. Now I only wear them on my thumbs, and it works splendidly.

Just remember that you are beautiful - hair or not. You're not alone - we're all in this together. :) x

[enp1317]

trich is so hard to deal with. i feel like a freak at school, always pulling or searching through my hair. people look at me like i'm a weirdo, i've been living with it for a year. people ask me about it and i just either ignore them or just say it's nothing. it's very embararessing, i'm in grade nine and i already feel like a freak. i just wish i knew someone who had it so i could talk to them about it. luckily, there are websites that help a lot.

[highfives4evry1]

I've had this since I was 5 and still have it now and I'm freshman in high school. I pick my eyebrows and eyelashes, and there aren't any support groups for kids in my area. Trich means no romantic life and it's awkward when people bring it up in the conversation. I have barely any eyebrows or lashes left-- I pick them out the moment they grow in.

ANY TIPS FROM ANYONE WHO'S MANAGED TO STOP PICKING AND GROW THEIR HAIR BACK IN???

[katievet123]

I have it... I'm 13 I need help

[crazyheartlucky7]

@katievet123 I have it too, Email me at julie.hernandez33@yahoo.com

dont worry, im not some creepy old man ! haha (: , Im actually a 16 year old girl too, and I cannot stand my trich ,

i have no support and my family doesnt help, I sit in my classroom dearing lunch and break ,

and I never ever go partying anymore. i know its hard, but keep smiling , . Send me an email if youd like more tips

[cloudgirl150]

Iv had trich since I was 10...but I pull out my eyelashes/eyebrows instead of my hair. Still it sucks and I really wish I could stop but whenever I accidentally pull one out it just triggers this sensation to pull more *cries*

[nightowl1890]

@cloudgirl150

me too, girl. when one accidently comes out it just makes you want to go the mirror and have at it.

[nightowl1890]

@cloudgirl150 me too, girl. when one accidently comes out it just makes you want to go the mirror and have at it.

[whitemtnman]

I'm a 54 year old male who's been pulling since I was 11 years old (1967)! I had a brother 4 years older than me who used to make sport out of beating me up each and every single day! I attempted suicide way back then and got sent to a shrink, I coped with it and secretely wished my brother dead.

On December 9th 1977 he was killed in an automobile accident. I thought that would end my trich right there but it only got worst, cause now I live with wishing for something that came to pass! It sux!

[AjiCerise]

I didn't agree with what he said about children either I got trich when I was 10 and it may have been more embarrassing then.

But maybe he just means cause even though the large majority of people who develop trich develop trich as kids there's still a large majority as kids who grow out of it. I read that most kids that get it grow out of so...yeah? Idk.

[11Rachee11]

For anyone looking for tips to minimise this. I bought some triple strength Doo Grow which is a hair serum to speed up hair growth and it has a gooey gel consistency. I pull my eyebrows and I find that when I put this on thickly I don't want to do it because it makes my fingers all gooey and messy. I also find putting a plaster or tape over the patch which has a flap in the middle can help as you can pull and fiddle with the flap instead. Obviously these only work while being indoors. Good luck

[niallito]

women more than men no?

[xSasuNaruAmutox]

i have this problem and my mom would always be pissed seeing hair all over the floor..but she didnt know thats its actually disorder...i didnt know about it either..lol..until a few minutes ago and i have been doing it for 3 year..but mine isnt that noticable cause i do it in the back of my head on the inside hair

but my hair is curly and it looks like shit now cause some spots look shorer then the other when my hair is down and i cant put my hair in a pony tail or something either

[haircutbob2]

This guy really pisses me off. It doesn't look like he has trich to me. So what business does he have telling lies about it? "Children's trich isn't really that serious." Yeah bud, you're right. I got trich in the fourth grade, and got made fun of pretty much daily, and a few attempts were made to kick my ass. Everyday, "No. I don't have cancer." AAAHHH! Sorry for the rant, just pissed me off.

[maryjanenherb]

at 44 i reclaimed my life by shaving my head -- liberation

[Digimon575]

i'm 15 and i've had Trichotillomania since i was 12 or 13 and it's under control now i'm still pulling it a little but it's under control now and i got to tell you people it's hard but over time it will get better like you will feel less stress and you willfeel happy.

[Musicboxdancerfriend]

i had this problem i helped myself by praying to mother mary the people around me just mocked me and said this is not a problem and i can prevent myself and did not even try to understand

[kibbleznbitz159]

i have been pulling out my eyelashes since i was 4 or 5 years old just my eyelashes and i always thought i was the only one, im 19 now and im pulling now more than i ever have. its just hard to explain to the people i am close to that i can't just stop, most of the time i don't even notice i am doing it

[cebwg7]

wow this guy explained trich as good as ive ever heard from someone who (i assume) doesnt have trich

[aleccoop]

If you have trich, you are not alone. When I was 12 I started pulling coarse hairs out from my scalp. At 14 I told my doctor my hair was just falling out and he spoke to me about trich, explaining that this anxiety-based disease can be combated with meditation and yoga. At 22 Ive given up on the yoga, but the meditation results have been extraordinary. Through 30 of meditation/day and online trich support groups I have not pulled in over two years!

[shygrlfriend]

@aleccoop hey im i have been puliing my hair for a year now ever since i was 13 im 14 now and i want 2 stop but the more i try i can't but i dont know wat to do.. :( could you help me?

[kitsunewolf16]

@aleccoop Ive had Trich since first grade, and im 20 years old, still pulling my hair, at first grade i started when my eye lashes, ninth grade i started pulling my hair, and ever since then im still pulling im searching all over for something to help me, i took a lot of medications, theropy and nothing seems to help what helped you ? i mean i cant even go a day with out pulling there are some days where im to depressed to but it still happeneds

[smallblueclouds]

@kitsunewolf16

Google N-Acetylcysteine + trichotillomania

[kitsunewolf16]

@smallblueclouds Ok thank you i will

[LilSoul118]

@aleccoop Thumbs up for You (F) :')

[eckelheft28]

im 20 and ive been suffering from it since i was 8. its genetic.. my moms sister had it and my cousin. it can skip generations. started with just pulling my hair out.. then went on to eyelashes. i wish i could stop.

[oxana77]

Thank you for posting this. I am already googling the clinic. And may I just say this Dr. looks amazing and handsome. Almost as he was an actor playing a doctor. Sorry for offtop. :)

[myhotjeans717]

My mom called me today and she said she was watching a movie on lifetime about a girl who did this and thought of my daughter I never really thought nothing of it when she did it so I did some research she's only 4 so maybe she'll grow out of it but the top of her head feels like little bristles....

[leahelizabeth8991]

I don't even know when I am doing it.

[leahelizabeth8991]

I do the exact same thing! I look for coarse strands of hair and pull them out. I used to pull out my eyelashes at age 11. I am now 19yrs old in college. My shameful disorder is becoming annoying to my mother. She said "Stop pulling your hair, Why do you keep pulling your hair. I don't know why. I do it when I am doing my homework. My mother thinks it is funny. She doesn't understand though.

[halfbloodprincess1o1]

I do the same exact thing, also why I am doing my homework and my family members say those kind of things too.

[shaziscoollike]

i'm fifteen and i've been living with this since i was eight

[synchrostar98]

I think the only true way to stop starts with you. It's all in the head. I know it's really really hard, but as you go to pull, take away your hand and play with something else.

[laader01]

@synchrostar98 Have you ever had trich? There is more to that than that.

[Urbania05]

@synchrostar98 this illness is much more complex.

[SavannaXan]

Ugh. I've been having this problem since I was 9. I remember the first time I pulled a strand of hair out of my head and it was really coarse. Then I started to try and find more hairs that had a coarse texture and ever since then I've been pulling my hair. And I'm now 15 years old.

[YenusV]

oh my god! thank you savannxan, i feel so much better now, i thought i was the only one who did it, so im not a freak? anyway, thats exactly what i do, i find the ones with the like thicker and rougher kind of feel and pull it out. and sometimes its really hard to hide it. my mum said its 'self harming' im like wtf?!!

[AndreaKSager]

@SavannaXan hey im 15 too!! i have it too except i have it with skin

[tackywacky99]

Im 13 and i just started doing it on the top of my head. I was able to stop it but i have a small white spot on the top of my head and i really want it to grow back. I now want to know how to grow it back faster.

[Urbania05]

@AndreaKSager you have dermatillomania. that's what i have in conjucnction with trich. been doing this to my eyelashes and eyebrows for years. i've never spoken publically about this.

[xNiKKixMAEx]

Dont worry guys..we r not alone.... im now 13 and i got this problem since 10 due to family problem....but now... my hair is going back like before.... i stopped pulling my hair, bcuz think first, what is the use of their help if ur not going to help yourself?everything will start to you,the truth hurts that this desease dont have a cure... but i say that you guys had hope.... believe me, im now recovering i stopped it now my hair going back like before, bcuz i help my self and i got inspiration

[CloverTheBunny]

I have it too

[Djingis]

I used to have a problem with this but it seems all but gone now, probably because I learned to release emotions.. The thing that teaches it is called The Sedona Method. You can download it online from torrents or buy it etc. You can heal and be well. we've all been given the gift of life and it seems we're ultimately accountable to God for what has been done with it. Peace :)

[elizabethcellist]

I disagree with 0:42 where he says children's trich isn't a serious version of it. I mean, how many adults started as a child? I got mine around age 9, it was serious enough that I got made fun of at school, and 15 years later, I still have it. What's not serious about that?

[boonaga911]

@elizabethcellist well, i got mine when i was 4 and its been only 6 years and i still have it i got it from my dad he has it it sucks i pull my eyelashes out also the hair on my head... =(

[getyourbrokeasshome]

@elizabethcellist agree with u totaly,me too i get bulled at school many times. and because of that i have a lav selfsteme

[bellaluv4ever]

@elizabethcellist OMG EXACTLY ME boyz would run around calling me browless...and i would sobb for hours on end...

[Kuroro2345]

@elizabethcellist, I agree! I started pulling my hair around 12 during the 2 half of my semester of 6th grade; I was extremely depressed because I had to move from my childhood home after Hurricane Katrina, my grandmother died from cancer and I was VERY UNHAPPY at the school I went to at 6th grade... I felt like a freak, due to most of everyone being african american (including all of the teachers; I was 1 of 3 students who were white in my class) and my teacher acted like a bitch to me... :-(

[TashaRichardsonFan]

I been pulling out my eyelashes a lot lately.

[LilHogg95]

i've been pulling out my eyebrows+lashes since i was 8 i'm 14 now i've tried to put a stop to it and i'm almost there, their almost grown back in and i'm happy

[ParanormalMandy]

I'm 19 years old and I have been pulling out my hair since I was 18 years old..my hair is ugly and uneven in certain spots =( I am soo scared... I can't stop! I've tried soo much to stop and I can't..I'm so depressed and I hide my hair under a cap now =(

[TheEllenChannel08]

Where did they find this clown? He just said that it's more common in men (wrong) and he said "you may see some children with it and that's not a serious version of it" (wrong again.) He's not even a doctor that treats trich, just a hair replacement surgeon.

[jmad411]

My son has played with his hair since he was little. He enjoys the feeling between his finger and nail of another finger. A couple of months ago, we started seeing a bald spot in the back. Once I noticed, then he quit that area and started on the front. Usually he does this when he is zoning out watching TV. He is only 9. It seems most of the articles I have found it starts about this age. I feel so badly for him, and everyone suffering from this condition. Now to figure out what to do next.

[WangChungPadawan]

Hey guys,

I've been pulling out my eyelashes since I was around 8 years old, and I'm 19 now.

Thankfully they've always grown back, but I still get terrified after a pull session (like tonight, about half an hour ago while I was absent-mindedly watching a movie) that they will never come back.

Please know that you guys aren't alone! I think I'm going to go and talk to my family about it now... it helps to have people watching out for you. It can be embarrassing and hurtful, but it helps.

[julileaf]

The hardest part about having Trich (besides the pulling) is when you have no support from family or friends. When everything you've explained to them just fall on deaf ears. They mock and laugh at you for being 'a freak'.

I thank God we have support groups now.

[shygrlfriend]

@julileaf hey how do i approach the groups?

[julileaf]

@shygrlfriend I think you should go see a dermatologist or even a psychiatrist who can refer you to your local support group. If you don't want to go through all that (although it's recommended) you can contact your local support group. I'm sure you can find them online. There aren't many support groups in my country (Malaysia) and the nearest is 3 or 4 states away. I'm sure you can find some in your country. Good luck. :)

[JenniferSmilesAgain]

i have had trich since i was 12 years old and im now 26 years old. there were no support groups to go to when i was in highschool and now 14 years later there are all kinds of resources that people can use to understand and help themselves with this battle.

[MusicAndGummyBears]

I've been pulling at my eyelashes. And I've slowly moved to my hair. Everyone in my family thinks it has to do with stress, tell about two years ago, when we went and saw some hair loss specialist. Everyone around me thinks it's no big deal. But I can't sit in a class with doing it, and then always wondering how the girls with long hair can sit there and not play with it. I've lived with this for 8 years. I hate it; I just want someone to talk to you;

♥Linsey

[xbutterfly1986x]

I have been suffering from trichotillomania for 10 years....i am 23 years old now. I have been a little more comfortable revealing the embarrassing truth about my hair loss problem. I am currently taking anti depressants but I want to get in control of it before it ruins my relationship. I feel that no one else understands my disorder...i want treatment and to recover fully from it..in high school i was called bald barbie and rogaine rhonda...

[BuckNutzFan]

I first started pulling out my hair when i was 8 years old, and after a major trauma i began pulling my hair out again in 7th grade. i am now 25... it's been a haunting demon that will not go away.

[Iichyaa]

I hope I can stop before it becomes bad...

[oprahdiva]

I Have this problem my self and my family is trying to send me to mental health or help.i'm 17 so this has been going on since i was 14 or 15.

the hardest thing about this that,my family tells me to stop pulling i can't do that it feels good and it makes me feel better what ever goes on.

so if another person tells me stop,i'll tell them its like drug or food addition thats makes my life a hell.and when they start pulling out their hair then they can tell me what its like for them

[BellyFireDancer]

Isn't that the truth! When they start pulling out their own hair THEN they can tell you what it's like for them!! It's hard for both sides. Family (well meaning family... not the antagonistic kind) want to help, but just don't get it. I am blessed not to have drug dependence... but, having had trich is a complete parallel to drug addiction I would imagine. Great job on standing up for yourself! but, go easy on your loved ones who mean well. They don't get it but love you! Take care, Seraphina!

[LetsDebateFTW]

i feel your pain, im 16 an i started when i was 13, just i pull out my eyebrows, so i mean i have have of one eyebrow and and 1/4 of another, i look like a freak, my parents think im a retard, whenever someone asks me "do u shave your eyebrows?" they always for some reason ask very loud when the classs is quiet, and i become the main comedy hit in class, its bullshit im done with this shit, i cant take it anymore

[oprahdiva]

oh yes you can take it.people have this disorder for a reason,I don't know for what reason though.

Your parents may not get it,but they will and when they do it's going to all be worth it,don't listen or answer your class mates because it's none of their business,when you get tired just say INTO YOUR HANDS GOD I GIVE THIS BURDEN TO YOU.

[LetsDebateFTW]

i appreciate your compassion, but right now seems to be the worse time of my life, i mean i givin this tichotilomani before for like 2 months, but for some stupid reason i started again, i cant get a date for the life of me and i cant make eye contact with anyone, cause im afraid of seeing them look up one inch above my eye and ask the dreaded question

[heyysimone]

i get what you mean. i pull my eyelashes, used to pull my eyebrows and mine were like yours, but we arent allowed makeup at school so my friends will ask "whats with your eyelashes?" and ill lash out at them because im embarrased. because everyone says i have really pretty eyes everyone stares at them, so i feel like my lack of eyelashes is all they can see. i only have the inner corner ones. the ridicule is embarrasing. im 15 and have been doing it since i was 10 so i get what you mean.

[lproda123]

same! i just pull out my eyebrows too.. people always used to ask me what's wrong with my eyebrows and i just got to the point where i would draw in whatever was missing with eyeliner, it works fine and i still do it.

[LetsDebateFTW]

yea, i tried that, it didnt really work for me, the questions just became y do u color in ur eyebrows, which isnt any better, but recently ive been getting over it, my eyebrows have been growing in, it was the hardest thing ive ever had to do, but ive done it, ive conquered trickotilomania

[SirSexyAlot]

@oprahdiva I presume it is no different from picking at dried skin, or popping spots.

So what the fuck is the problem? Your family is fucking stupid. It doesn't effect you in any way other than makes you odd and looks kinda strange?

Well then buddy I suggest you check to see if you are adopted or not.

As if you aren't, then bad news, you have your parent's faulty genes.

[bellaluv4ever]

@oprahdiva SAme here I had been in remission and now it started again 3 days ago i am so devistated....

[robvandamrocks]

@oprahdiva I have it to. I get ground 3-6 times a month and I cry once or twice a week because i get screamed at and sad thing is im a guy to. my mom doesn't want to accept it, its sad really. And also they can't send you to a mental hospital it is not a Deadly act or life threatening when you are 18 or if you are get help, and good luck.

[Since1907baby]

@robvandamrocks i feel you bro...im a guy suffered in high school & my mom called me a freak, told me i was the family embarassment, called me ugly....and obviously everyone at school called me freak or cancerboy...people passing by me on a sidewalk would stare..life was miserable...but trust me...it gets better...focus on what you can control in your life...and dont be hard on yourself...we are really treated like shit...when its not our fault, its a 100% genetic tick...atleast its not cancer!

[robvandamrocks]

@Since1907baby genetic that meen it came from someone else in my family?

[Since1907baby]

@robvandamrocks yeah, somebody in your family history has gone through the exact same thing...it could be your parents, your grandparents who knows...its hard to know because people keep it a secret, especially back then, imagine there was no internet, no books on it, no awareness at all...those who had it literally believed they were nutjobs! So they usually kept it a secret for life. Also, if your mom or dad had it, they won't tell you because they fear you blaming them for it, its natural.

[FullFrontalCrudity]

whoa there's no way you should take medications to treat something like this. anti-depressants? that's the cure-all for everything now, i guess.

[BostonSuckssssssssss]

i have this problem....i pluck my pubes....i shaved them twice and its like little thorns growing back....how do i get rid of the hair without plucking or shaving it?? and i sapposed to get rid of it? is it normal? im young so please help

[lawlieter]

Trim with scissors. A lot of people do that. Keep it short, but not too short.

[MsCMB1221]

Please spread the word There will be a Special on A&E on Memorial Day at 10pm with a big special on Trich!.....I have as well ....Please Spread The Word!!! God Bless

[LadyCerberus5]

ive had trich for about two years and i battle with it on and off constantly. this doctor seems really understanding and helpful and his words have encouraged me to stop. its really hard ill admit that, but i think it can be done and i really hope i can accomplish it before the summer.

[sachcuatrang]

I lived with trichotillomania for more than a decade. Last year, after I got a project at work and earn well, I nearly stop it. But now, when my career status goes down, I re-pull my hair. So upset!

[SaoirseOnoraMurphy]

courage - ive booked 5 drs appointments to go and discuss this, 5 times so far ive talked abt something else... dont even know what!

maybe i will work up that courage soon, i hope

[beckie0]

support groups - theres nothing for me here in the uk - ive had counseling - ive tried everything - and then they threw me out - im on my own..... again

[ca280491]

what about guys ? i'm a guy and i pull my hair too but they never talk about guys with trichotillomania

[wendyromero77]

You guys have to try hypnosis it really works. I had this problem and I haven't pulled for months. I first heard of it of a person who had tried it due to the same reason and it worked for him. Everyone that has tried hypnosis please leave a comment in order for others to try it. Good luck for all

[colmanforero]

hey what is hypnosis iam really intrested i have that problom

[oleHABSole]

Is there a way to have your eyelashes and eyebrows implanted?like this Dr does for the head?

[oxana77]

@oleHABSole Yes there is. Google it. They have been doing it for years in US. And recently UK doctors performed the same for a teengirl, I saw pictures they were amazing. They say for her eyelashes were taken her own head hair so eyelashes look super long, I wonder if she has to cut them once in a while..

[itsonebay]

Thanks for posting.... no new news however.

[arellia]

Thank you for posting this. :]

[JadedSue2009]

This was a good video about Trichotillomania. I liked the Dr, he seems very understanding about the issue of hair loss.