pulling eyelashes

[siobainne]

I have a cod disorder, can't remember the name, but I pull out my eyelashes. I am a 45 year old female. and have been puling them for about 30 years now. I want to stop. I am an alcoholic and quit drinking by just making the decision to stop 12 yrs ago. I quit smoking the same way, but I just can't stop pulling my eyelashes and it upsets me. Makes me feel ugly and ashamed.  Would love some help on this one. Thanks and Happy New Year:)

[siobainne]

I have tried everything and I don't have the funds for a psychiatrist. It happens whenever now, usually when sleepy or stressed, but also when they start to grow in and they don't grow in evenly. I literally can't touch them or I pull them. And it is really only my eyelashes. I do it both subconsciously but mostly I realize I am doing it and make a choice to do it. Socks don't help, I can take them off, also put red pepper on hands. I have also emotionally black mailed myself, ie, if I pull an eyelash something will happen to so and so. The urge is very strong, but yes, mostly when tired or stressed.
Thank you for taking time out to respond. What ***** is that I have really beautiful eyelashes and very unique eyes, my pupils go up and down like a cats. Makes me feel ugly.

[JGF25]

Hi there.  What you have is called  trichotillomania and it indeed falls under the OCD disorder spectrum.  Is it just your eyelashes or do you pull out your hair as well?  Do you do this subconsciously or do you realize when you are doing it?  Do you find you do it more during stressful times?  

I don't know if you have ever seen a psychologist before but one that teaches cognitive behavioral therapy and/or behavioral modification can be of help to you.  

I'm not a doctor but I have told people to actually wear socks on their hands when they are at home during idle times.  If you have socks on your hands you cannot pick at anything.  It is akin to putting that bitter stuff on kids fingers so they stop sucking their thumb/fingers.  Also, another poster on the OCD forum that has this problem suggested sitting on your hands.  Apparently she does this and it helps her to stop picking.  

Good luck and keep the forum posted.  

[siobainne]

Hi Paigepoo, thank you so much for your response, unfortunately I have tried everything, I will get it one day. I can't go into too much right now as I have just suffered a loss and I am a little upset. But I do want to thank you for your ideas and thoughts. I will write more later on. You are very sweet and Happy New Year:)

[Paigiepoo]

Hi. I am so sorry to hear you have this problem. But it sounds like you have a strong mind and can do anything you set your mind to. I am not an expert on this topic but i did pull out my eyelashes (accidentally). I attend beauty school and we applied these semi permanent individual lashes. After a few days i got tired of them and pulled them off and all my real lashes came with them! I had the most beautiful real lashes! I am so mad at myself. Now i have to wear fake temporary lashes called "band lashes". They are on a strip and you just apply glue to the strip and apply the strip to your eye lid. Put them on in the morning, take them off at night. I was thinking maybe if you saw yourself with these fake eyelashes and saw how pretty they were then you would want to stop pulling out your real lashes. I just get mine at the grocery store in the beauty section. They are a little tricky to put on at first but you will get the hang of it. Hope this helps a little. Good luck!