PULLING HAIR OUT??!!

[2GIRLIES]

HI, WONDER IF YOU HAVE ANY ADDVICE PLEASE? MY 2 1/2 YEAR OLD GIRL IS PULLING HER HAIR OUT AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO NEXT - I HAVE TRIED IGNORING IT, I HAVE TRIED JUST TAKING HER HAND AWAY AND PUTTING HER MIND TO SOMETHING ELSE, I HAVE TRIED TELLING HER OFF AND NOT TO DO IT.  SHE SEEMS TO GO THROUGH PHASES AND EVERYTIME I THINK THE HABIT IS BROKEN AND HER HAIR STARTS TO GROW BACK SHE STARTS DOING IT AGAIN.  MY PARTNER KEEPS GOING ON ABOUT SHAVING ALL HAIR OFF AND I DON'T WANT HIM TO BUT HE CAN'T SEE ANY OTHER WAY - SO FAR I HAVE PUT HIM OFF SAYING THAT WON'T SOLVE ANYTHING BECAUSE SHE FEEL IT GROWING BACK AND THEN START AGAIN - THE HABIT HAS TO BE BROKEN.  I AM HOPING WHEN SHE STARTS NURSERY IN JANUARY SHE WILL BE TOO BUSY TO THINK ABOUT IT.  SHE SEEMS TO DO IT WHEN SHE IS TIRED AND WHEN SHE IN ENGROSSED IN ONE HER TV PROGRAMMES.  WHEN SHE DOESN'T DO IT IN THE DAY THERE IS ALWAYS BEDTIME WHEN SHE IS TIRED SHE DOES IT LAYING IN BED.  HELP I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO TRY!!

[jdtm]

The act of pulling out one's hair is called "trichotillomania".  It is an anxiety disorder (by the way, anxiety disorders tend to be inherited, not learned, traits).  She pulls her hair to relieve the distress she feels in her environment.   If her hair is cut, she will find another way in order to relieve this stress so this will not solve the problem.  It is not a habit that can be broken easily and without understanding this disorder.  Please do a search of the internet for more help with this disorder.  I might suggest you contact your family physician or pediatrician.