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Dealing with trichotillomania and school
Trichotillomania, a disorder where one pulls out their hair. I havent officially been told that i have it. But i also have never admitted to anyone besides my mom, dad and sister that i have a problem. It started when i was in elementry when i knotted up my bangs and tore away the knots. Now i just pull and pull, usually during class sometimes when im online, just when im bored. Trich is not about self injury, its something someone notices they do or they can do it without being aware. I pull my hair without the knowledge that im doing it. Its a very hard thing to deal with, its more of hiding it untill the hair grows back in the balding spots. I feel so ashamed that im not good enough to get over it, ive read that people go through their whole lives with it, i worry, i dont want to be plaqued with this curse for my whole life.
My habit seemed to have died when school started up this year but then recently it returned. It began all in one class period. I must have sat there the whole class and pulled and pulled untill the hair was very thin on one side. When it comes back it gets worse, because my self esteem becomes very low and that doesnt help the stress, if thats what triggers it.
I am considering going to a counsellor, but im not sure. I dont know anything about if they put that kind of stuff on a record when you want to join a college or get a job. If so will they turn you down because you have a disorder? Will they put me on anti-depressants? I dont want to be put on meds, i just want someone to talk to, maybe even ways to prevent doing it. Any help on how to prevent me pulling my hair out and what happens when you confront a counsellor about a disorder would being very nice.
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Maybe give some free advice about: Mental health?
PLEASE go to [Link](Mouse over link to see full location). The responder already posted this link. The website belongs to Trichotillomania Learning Center. The TLC is the authority on trich- information on coping, recovering, educating, and connecting you to other people going through what you are going through now. Please learn as much as you can from experts- specialized doctors, etc., etc.- you will be much better off once you learn legitimate information from people who actually know what they're talking about.
Ps. Trichotillomania is not rare- between 1-3% of Americans (up to 15 millions Americans) have trich. Also, I have had trich for 9 years. I've been pulling every single day, and have had to go to school feeling emberrassed about the way I look, but now that I've learned so much about it and talked to people I have been able to go 21 days as of today without pulling one hair.
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I would suggest seeing a psychologist. They cannot give you medication but they CAN give you someone to talk to who might have a bit more background in the field than a counselor. Also, the fact that you have told your family about it means you have a support system, which is the most imprtant thing. And not place of employment or higher education institution will have access to this information. Whatever you say to a psychologist stays confidential with them unless they detect a risk of serious harm to you... Serious like suicide, not pulling your hair out.
The best way to tackle this will be having someone to talk to and a strong support system... Drugs might temporarily cure the symptoms but they rarely cure the disorder.
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Oh my gosh! I had the SAME problem...only mine wasn't AS bad...I would just twirl my hair and pull at it and then it would become thinner on one side. It is embarassing...I always ask my family if it's sticking up.
I have to put barretts in my hair because I wold pull at my hair. It's not noticable or anything for me because I didn't have it bad...and it grew back; it wasn't like HUGE bald spots for me...but I didn't really realize what I was doing as I was doing it. I knew I was pulling at my hair, but for some reason I just couldn't stop.
I had it once in probably 5th/6th grade and then at the end of 7th grade. I was so ashamed because I thought that it would be VERY noticable (but I would style my hair a different way so its not sticking up) and you could ask ANYBODY who knows me...I'm constantly staring in the mirror because of it. I don't wear my hair down because it still shows a little bit (but it's not a bald spot for me) it's just sort of un-even on top. I always wear gel and hairspray to hide it.
If you ever have the urge to rip at your hair, focus on something else. YOU HAVE TO! Because if you don't stop doing this it will eventually stop growing in that place. (Just like when you pluck your eyebrows).
Just leave it alone starting today...it's not a great habit to pick up AT ALL. It makes you very self-concience, but I'm not all that embarrassed to talk about it. You DO NOT have to go to couseling...this habit is east to give up. It seems hard at first, but just wear hats when you go out with friends or something (to hide it if you want) and the hat will also PREVENT you from pulling at your hair. Also...little braids help too (if that's your idea of a hair style that fits you)...and I find that really TIGHT ponytails or buns with gel on the top of your head works. (but I don't know if that's only for me.
I REALLY hope this helped. Email me if you need more information @ truevalue53@yahoo.com
~GL~
Here To Help
P.S. If you give up this habit, make sure you DON'T pick up an even WORSE habit. For instance, I crack my knuckles (BUT IM NOT SUGGESTING YOU TURN TO THAT). AND DON'T TURN TO SMOKING, DRINKING, DRUGS, ETC.
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*deep breath* every once in a while I've had tame bouts of this. Ever since second grade when I became outcasted. I thought it had stopped but I was pulling when I read this. Sometimes I really don't notice it. I guess it temporarily stopped when I learned to knit and did that instead. In third and fourth grade I wore a wig for a while because it was so bad. In sixth grade I decided that it wasn't going to control me and I grew my hair out to half-way down my back. Recently I got it cut and I guess that's when it started back again.
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You really should see a couselor. Try to think of ways to remind yourself not to pull your hair. Put rubber bands around your wrist, write notes to yourself on your hand, but if that doesn't work then you should definately get some help.
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I have a cousin that did this. She of course is very young and they got her to stop. Not sure how, but I can find out if you like. She did it when she was zoning out or just very bored, and most interestly was she did it in her sleep too.
Go to a counsler! They can help and give you advice for what you need to do. Colleges and employers can not open those records. They can only tell you no if you are convicted criminal.
acerdj
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In the U.S., at least, there is no way that information like that would be made available to colleges or employers. That would violate all kinds of laws. Please go see a counselor.
In the meantime, my only suggestion is to try to make it harder for yourself to pull out your hair: either get it cut very short (so it's harder to get a grip on it), or pin it up/tie it back in a tight ponytail in the morning (so that at least you'll start noticing if you have to undo your hair to get at it).
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Well I would go and see a counceller of some kind, they are there so you can talk to them. As for putting it on some record, i don't. In the UK an emplyer is not alowed to turn someone away becuse of a mental disorder or other dissability. You can ask the counceller if they do that though. Also the counceller will be able to help you identify the root [no pun intended] of the problem, that makes you pull at your hair.
As for tips on how to stop, maybe get another hobby that involves your hands, like a squeesy stress ball or those chiniese meditation balls. Every time you feel yourself wanting to pull your hair, squeeze the ball insead.
I hope some of these ramblings have helped, and good luck :)
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