How do I stop?

[Helpmegirl]

I am 11 years old...I pull my hair and sometimes there is clear stuff on the root of the hair and I would like to eat that...I have looked up all my actions and it says its all bad...I'm trying to stop but it is very hard for me...My mother doesn't listen to me when I want to talk to her...I don't know where else to turn..I keep playing with it...it's very hard...I don't want to be in the hospital to get a surgery to get the hair out...nor an IV...please tell me,what should I do? and what is this disorder called that I have? do you have any ideas? Thank you.


This discussion is related to Pulling and eating hair.

[marvinme]

This is interesting, I thought nobody pulled their hair ! I pulled my hair when I was growing up and although I didn't eat it, I sucked my tumb as well. It looked nasty as though I had a shave at the back of my head. I don't have any medical explanation but in my own case I think it just felt good doing it but I out grew it. My mum at the time had to cut my hair very low because it looked as though rats had eaten it ! My younger sister at the time had long hair which I longed for.

At about  9 years of age I just stopped. I am now a grown woman and have not had any problems with my old habits since. I guess its a personal decision you have to make. You can do it, I know you can. Good luck.

[jdtm]

Pulling out one's hair is an anxiety disorder call "trichotillomania".  Your actions are not bad; you just need help in learning how to manage this behaviour.  You did nothing to cause this disorder - you probably inherited it at birth just as you inherited your eye colour.  Please talk this over with a trusted person - as your mother or father or grandparent or trusted teacher.  Your family doctor should be able to help you.  If not, ask for a referral to a specialist with experience in anxiety disorders.

[margypops]

You have got yourself a Habit thats all, and its pulling your hair, well how about you see each day how long you can go without pulling it and give yourself a pat on the Back or a treat,If your Momma is busy ,ask her to find a quiet time for you to talk to her or have you a granma or a relative ,maybe a friend.you can speak to.You wont go into Hospital for this so dont listen if anyone says that,when you feel a Hair  Pull moment coming on how about you distract your self and go and do something you like, get busy are you active enough ,play outside games,have friends. This is a Habit and you could turn it around and make it a Goal to quit, replace it with something else that will benefit you.