-
Trichotillomania and Me
- Mar 1, 2009 at 1:10 PM
- By
- Comments (47) Total Views (1711) Everyone can see this journal post.
It is no secret that I have Trichotillomania. I have it posted on my About me Statement and have also previously written about it HERE
What people may not understand is that having Trich is an on going struggle. Some days are better than others. Somedays I may not pull at all, others I may struggle to stop. Lately I have been struggling to stop. As a result I find that I have once again caused my hair to 'Thin'. Usually when I pull it results in a circular patch. This time it has resulted in a wider "part" in my hairline. My recent pulling has resulted in the following
The size of the "part" is right around the width of a finger or sharpie marker. Due to having thick hair I am luckily able to cover it fairly easily but I am still aware of my hair being thinner in that area.
It will never be easy to bounce back from a relapse such as this. I still feel the shame of knowing I was the reason behind my hair loss. I still struggle with the urge to pull more hairs. This is my outlet! I find discussing my Trich actually helps it. Odd since Trich is usually classified as a "Silent Condition".
It is Silent because it is not well known, it is silent because it is one of shame. It is silent because some people (like my husband) think it is something made up in order to gain attention.
No my husband does not really think that, but he doesn't understand it either which adds to the silence, adds to the struggles. The most he can do to help is hold me in his arms so I do not pull. It is something I have to ask him to do, otherwise he doesn't realize when I am struggling with my impulses.
Trich is something I have accepted as part of who I am. I still have shame over the pulling, I hate that I pull, but I am not ashamed of it. I can overcome this. I will over come this. This setback is not the first and it most certainly won't be the last. Having people understand my condition helps me to cope with it. Educating those who don't understand also helps me to refrain from pulling. I have found my method for handling my situation. I can only hope others who struggle with Trich can find their own.
Comments:
A friend of mine had/has this compulsion. With her it was her eyelashes. It was so bad at one point that she'd pulled out every single one.
I'm sorry you have to suffer with this. And I am sure there are plenty of people who don't understand at all and say hurtful things like "Just stop" or "Put your hair in a ponytail."
My best to you as you deal with this.
Hun you have so much on your plate.....it is really not surprising that this would rear it's ugly head at you naow and amplify what you have on your mind. LOVE YOU. I hope that things calm down soon for you. You know we are all here for you.....always.
Underarms and pubic hair I rarely pull but I have before. Scalp and legs are my big areas.
Hugs and love, Kristi. You're still a beautiful, strong woman.
Kristi, you are amazing, babe. I am sending a bunch of love and calming energy to you.
Until I read your posts I didn't know that this was a disorder. I just thought that it was some odd kind of attention getting behavior of mine. But, I don't tend to pul from the same area, so my hari just thins overall. I think that God has a funny sense of humor since I have ridicuoulsy thick hair.
Thank you for talking about it.
I'm glad you're talking and healing, my friend. I'm sending you good thoughts and an answer to your "up in the air" issues. (((hugging you)))
Already a member? Click here to log in
*hugs* I'd never heard of it before I met you, but now I've learned a lot, and even been able to direct someone who needed it to your posts.
- RanaAurora
Message Friend Invite