More on Trichotillomania

[KristiS11384]

I was recently contacted through my E-mail by a gentleman working with IPC medis and inquiring about my Trichotillomania for an article. I felt that the question and answer session between us would make a good journal regarding the topic. So here it is. For other's who would like to share your story with him he can be contacted at the followingaddress

[e-mail]

First of all,

when did you first realise you had the condition? My first indication of the condition came at around 14 years of age when a classmate pointed it out to me and asked why I was pulling out my hair. I learned the name for the condition at around age 16 when My older sister came across it while studying for her Cosmetology license.

Was it something you'd been doing for a while? I would assume so, as I had not realized what I was doing before my classmate pointed it out to me. I had previously had habits of chewing on the ends of my hair and twirling my hair around my fingers.

Was there a particular occurrence that you believe may have activated or instigated your particular case? Not that I can think of. One might believe it was due to a recent move, however being a military brat and moving every couple of years, I was used to it and couldn't stand to stay in one place for very long.

Is your case severe or mild? It varies. Most times it is mild and I hardly notice it. However, in times of high stress it does worsen and has resulted in bald spots on my scalp and a 2 inch receding hairline.(It has since grown in). Low stress also affects my pulling as I often catch myself pulling while sitting at stop-lights or watching TV. In these instances (unlike the high stress instances) I do not realize I am pulling until I am bothered by a "tickle" on my arm and see a pile of hair strands where I am sitting. In High-stress instances I KNOW I am pulling, I just can't seem to stop.

In what ways has having trichotillomania affected your social or work life? Socially it hasn't affected it that much as My case is in general mild and I have learned to easily hide any traces of my pulling. Most strangers I come across do not even realize I have the condition.
As for my work-life...I had been a member of the U.S. Navy and was in training for their Nuclear Power Propulsion Program. Due to the high levels of stress involved with this program my pulling had increased and resulted in noticeable bald patches. I was sent for evaluation and prescribed Prozac to help with the condition. Due to the fact that Prozac is an anti-depressant I was dropped from the Nuclear Program. *Note* This was NOT due to the fact I had Trich but rather the treatment I was put on to help combat the condition. The Prozac did not stop me from pulling but rather helped me to be more conscientious so that I was more AWARE of my pulling.
I was also required to go to counseling but that ended when my counselor learned I knew more about the condition than he did. Eventually the Prozac stopped helping and only resulted in teeth grinding so I was taken off of it. I have not been on any other medication since then.

I'd also like to know whether you feel the disorder is genetic or a result of environmental factors.I feel it is a combination of both in my case. Other members of my family also suffer from various "ticks". My father has a habit of "chewing" on his tongue which results in a repeated clicking sound and my brother will repeatedly shake his hands until his fingers "snap" together. Both of these instances happen daily.

Environmental factors such as stress levels also affect my Trich and can worsen it or low stress in which I do not realize I am pulling.

I've also been wondering what exactly support groups for "trichsters" do to help each other and whether or not you agree with the opinion that all "trichsters" are self-harmers? In Trichotillomania support groups we not only share our stories of success and failure, but we also share our tips on what helps us refrain from pulling. Just knowing we are not alone is a HUGE factor in helping to support one another as we can often feel alone in our condition. For myself, talking and sharing my story of my disorder helps me to be more Aware of it which in turn helps me to deal with it.

I have to disagree with the opinions that ALL Trichsters are self-harmer's. Characteristics of self-harmers tend to fit the description of those with Body Dysmorphic Disorder. While some certainly suffer from this condition which results in their Trich, others may suffer from Obsessive Compulsive disorder, A form of Tourette's, or a number of other varying conditions. Some of these are often regarded as "Pseudo-Trich" as the hair pulling is a result of a much larger problem.

Perhaps the most important and hard hitting factor of this entire article is going to be the images. It would be great if you or anyone with trichotillomania you know would be willing to send us a set of pictures showing how the condition affects real people.
I have a picture saved on my computer which I am attaching. It is depicting the crown of my head and an enlarged "part" due to pulling. The center bald area was roughly the size of a quarter. I THINK I have one that depicts my receding hairline but I will have to find it and scan it onto my computer. ( This picture was in my last Trich Journal)

Thanks for your time Kristina, I know that alot of people with trich are very ashamed and I think that you're a great example to sufferers everywhere. Thank you! I get that alot now that I have shared my story on Facebook and Cafemom. (If you would like a link to either let me know or I can copy/paste the stories in an e-mail to you)I think it's very important that this article be published so that the wider public becomes aware of this condition and that those with it know it doesn't make them freaks.I agree. As I have stated before just knowing you are not alone is a LARGE part of helping others with this condition learn to handle it.

Once again, thanks for your time.

Matt