Trichotillomania

Trichotillomania is classified as an impulse control disorder whereby the person has compulsive urges to pull out their own hair. (Trichotillomania can have both a physical and emotional impact.)

Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trichotillomania

MAJOR UPDATE:
Since this video, the hair loss has increased dramatically.
I've now been bald for a year due to the amount of pulling.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/beckie0/5414053851/


This is me as of September 2010:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/beckie0/5042497463

This is me as of October 8th 2010:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/beckie0/5195710097/


YOU MUST READ:

(Hello, my name is Rebecca Brown, I am 16 years old and I have Trichotillomania...)

The majority of the video was recorded on the 16th of May 2009. At the time I was 16. People tend to forget the date this was recorded/uploaded... My hair issues have worsened since this video.

May - July 2009 the remaining hair gradually disappeared.
July 2009 - I had all my hair cut off.
December 2009 - Doing well, but major patch on top by Christmas.
April 2010 - May 2010 - Lost all the hair again. Completely bald one side.
July 2010 - No hair on left side, had it shaved short at the back.
August 2010 - it grew back - however in two days, I ripped it all out again.

- Where am I now? I am about to turn 18.
- I have now taken medication - failed.
- I find tying my hands to tables etc - stops pulling (but not the urges.)
- Felt embarrassed in relationships and at work.
- Pulling like there's no tomorrow, in two months, I've been bald twice - whilst on holiday. If I can do this during the "relaxing" time of the year - I have no hope.

---------------

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trichotillomania

You can find me here:

http://trichworld.ning.com/profile/RebeccaBrown

http://www.flickr.com/photos/beckie0

http://www.flickr.com/groups/64119587@N00/pool/




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Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• beckie0
• stress
• trichotillomania
• pulling
• out
• hair
• ocd
• obsessive
• compulsive
• disorder
• teenager
• depression
• trich
• nervous
• rebecca
• brown
• cut
• scissors
• ics
• impulse
• control
• bald
• shaved
• head
• anxiety
• loss

[lolzcats97]

dear Rebecca.

I have a best friend with Trich, and she has found her way of getting over her trich, you will find yours too one day. Hers was music, she found her flute, and just started playing, you'll find it, and you'll find whats going on. Love so much from across the ocean.

[Emilola04]

I don't even know how I came across this video, and I had no idea what Trichotillomania was until now. I don't know anyone like this, however I really loved your video. It was very touching, and emotional. You're really brave to come and share this with us. Thank you. You're pretty by the way. :)

[ryugahydeki2]

House 

[nic712]

Not sure how I ended up here. But I'm so glad I did. Had no idea Trich existed... Just have to say, despite it, you're still a very beautiful girl. This entire video is very touching, and every moment you were crying, I was shaking my head and wishing you didn't have to deal with this... I don't personally know anyone with Trich, but, if I did, it would in /no/ way affect the relationship were they to confide in me about it.

[PeaceLoveRiah]

My friend has trich and she shaves her head and wears a wig. It works really well for her.

[daphneisthebest]

I just wanted to let you know that you are a genuine and sweet person. And, fuck all the haters in life. No matter where you are, and no matter what you do there will always be haters. If you didn’t pull your hair they would find something else about you to comment on. Don’t let them get to you. You do what you want in life and no one controls you. You are a beautiful soul and there are many people who love you. Stay strong and over time you’ll overcome this. And if not, you still look amazing!

[daphneisthebest]

Hey Rebecca. I’m 22 and live in Montreal, Canada. I have heard of this condition but never really paid attention to it. And today, I found your videos and cannot stop watching them. I feel like I may have a form of Trichotillomania because since I was about 14 I’ll been ripping apart my split ends. I could sit there for hours inspecting all my ends and ripping the split ends. Now watching your video I feel somewhat like you (in the sense that I simply cannot stop) but I don’t pull my hair out.

[The0Infected]

I used to have Trichotillomania when I was a baby. I went bald when I was two, after I went bald, I just stopped. I didn't have any more hair to pull out. I now have long blonde hair, but I still fiddle with it alot. I don't pull out my hair, but I constantly touch it. Your video was very inspiring and I wish you the best!

[dadabolla]

I am addicted to food and I also try to fight it, but it does not work. Did you try knitting, I know some people with a similar problem whom it has helped. Your hands will be busy, and it requires consentration and you have something to do with fibres. Try it.

[awesomegirl123ist]

i love how ur part changes all the time. its soo pretty

[0eternalStarlight0]

Hi Rebecca,

I'm thirteen and I have Trichotillomania. It started with my eyebrows when I was.. ten I think. Just this year I started at the back of my head. It's become routine, and classmates have looked under my desk to just find so much hair that it's disgusting. If you lift up the thin layer of hair thats left on the back of my head it's just one huge bald spot. If anyone DOES have a good way to help overcome Trich, please tell me because it's ruining my life...