Sick of Trich.

I thought I would finally tell the world of my hair pulling disorder in hopes to help those that also suffer from this disorder. 


If you don't already know what Trichotillomania is here if a brief over view...

"Trichotillomania, which is classified as an impulse control disorder by DSM-IV, is the compulsive urge to pull out one's own hair leading to noticeable hair loss, distress, and social or functional impairment. It is often chronic and difficult to treat. Trichotillomania may be present in infants, but the peak age of onset is 9 to 13. It may be triggered by depression or stress."

I myself started pulling my own hair out from my scalp when I was 13, I am now 21 years old (8 years I have had this urge to pull my hair out). Few people that I talk to about my disorder say they would have never guessed I pulled my hair out because of how well I hide it. 

I have tried everything that I can think of to try and get myself to stop but I just can't. I am trying the last thing I can think of which is going out to the public about my disorder in hopes that someone can help me stop. 

Having trich has stopped me from doing certain things in life that I would love to do and of course styling my hair in a certain way... Having trich is hard enough, but having trich and being a girl is even harder. 

For those that know of my disorder they have all been very supportive in which I appreciate. Some ask, "Why don't you just stop?" It seems like the most obvious solution but trust me if it were that easy I would have quit already. 

I cannot describe the urge other than I just get this tingly sensation on my head and all of a sudden my hand just starts pulling my hair out on spot... It is said that it is a stress reliever for us trich sufferers and I would agree as I have always had a lot of stress in my life with moving, separation, family problems, etc. 

Pulling my hair out always seems to relax me or occupy me when I am bored or alone. However, when I am busy, socializing or am happy, I do not have the urge. Therefore, the only cure I have found in this flaw is trying to keep busy as much as possible which really isn't a problem for me as I am also a single mother of a three year old but than again at the same time that kind of busy can drive me to have the urge to pull my hair out even more. 

My plan here with this blog and getting out to the public is to hear back from other people that have gone through or are still going through the same thing that I have been going through for the past 8 years. 

I also plan on posting here at least every other day to keep track of my progress to finally QUIT!

Thank you for those that are supportive and understanding. This definitely was not easy.