Comments on: My Steps to Trichotillomania Recovery http://blog.trich.org/2009/09/17/my-steps-to-trichotillomania-recovery-2/ The blog for the Trichotillomania Learning Center, seeking to end the suffering caused by hair pulling disorder, skin picking disorder, and related body-focused repetitive behaviors since 1991. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:42:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: dan http://blog.trich.org/2009/09/17/my-steps-to-trichotillomania-recovery-2/#comment-673 Fri, 29 Oct 2010 07:01:18 +0000 http://blog.trich.org/?p=64#comment-673 So i just now found out that i had Trichotillomania. For almost two years i would spend an hour at a time pulling hairs that i thought didn’t belong. It started when my hair got dried out, and i would pull the hairs that stuck out after i got out of the shower. I hated it! I then noticed these dark coarse hairs starting to grow in, so i started pulling those. I got really depressed and for the life of me could not stop. It started to look like i was going bald near my forehead cause i had this goofy callick and i would tweeze the hairs out that grew weird. I hated myself so much; i felt like i was worthless and ugly. my hair got really thin, and all i had were these coarse thick dark hairs everywhere. then, a few months ago, i looked at myself and thought, “what are you doing to yourself?!?!” I am proud to say i have not tweezed a single hair since then. I have really noticed that my normal hair is returning. I had really nice reddish blond hair with some wave to it. I was literally obsessed with it, it was my life, but never said anything to ANYONE because being a 20 year old male, it was quite embarrassing. But yeah, i have since stopped pulling out my hair and my hair is starting to come back nice and full and it feels soooo good. I am a little worried however that i have done permanent damage to the follicles. It would be awesome to hear from people who had the same disorder. I just hope these coarse hairs will go away, though i am sure in time my body will heal itself.

]]> By: phil http://blog.trich.org/2009/09/17/my-steps-to-trichotillomania-recovery-2/#comment-672 Fri, 29 Oct 2010 06:59:44 +0000 http://blog.trich.org/?p=64#comment-672 So i just now found out that i had Trichotillomania. For almost two years i would spend an hour at a time pulling hairs that i thought didn’t belong. It started when my hair got dried out, and i would pull the hairs that stuck out after i got out of the shower. I hated it! I then noticed these dark coarse hairs starting to grow in, so i started pulling those. I got really depressed and for the life of me could not stop. It started to look like i was going bald near my forehead cause i had this goofy callick and i would tweeze the hairs out that grew weird. I hated myself so much; i felt like i was worthless and ugly. my hair got really thin, and all i had were these coarse thick dark hairs everywhere. then, a few months ago, i looked at myself and thought, “what are you doing to yourself?!?!” I am proud to say i have not tweezed a single hair since then. I have really noticed that my normal hair is returning. I had really nice reddish blond hair with some wave to it. I was literally obsessed with it, it was my life, but never said anything to ANYONE because being a 20 year old male, it was quite embarrassing. But yeah, i have since stopped pulling out my hair and my hair is starting to come back nice and full and it feels soooo good. I am a little worried however that i have done permanent damage to the follicles. It would be awesome to hear from people who had the same disorder. I just hope these coarse hairs will go away, though i am sure in time my body will heal itself.

]]> By: Joanna Preston http://blog.trich.org/2009/09/17/my-steps-to-trichotillomania-recovery-2/#comment-592 Thu, 09 Sep 2010 04:13:12 +0000 http://blog.trich.org/?p=64#comment-592 Good on you Christina, It takes a great commitment and determination to work on and cure yourself. I do recommend EFT and meditation as well. Both can be done at home by yourself and are very effective. The results are amazing. Thank you for your courage to share your story. Very inspirational. I wish you all the best.

]]> By: tlctrichster http://blog.trich.org/2009/09/17/my-steps-to-trichotillomania-recovery-2/#comment-375 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:27:46 +0000 http://blog.trich.org/?p=64#comment-375 Dearest Anna, I am a voracious reader, and tend to read anything written about trich. Early on, of course, there was very, very little, but nowadays there’s quite a bit more. Today I would recommend Dr. Penzel’s The Hair Pulling Problem, and also Dr. Keuthen’s Help for Hair Pullers. Just because they give a good overview of current practice, different approaches, etc. Both also have monitoring forms. These are both older books. A really nice set of books (a bit expensive) but worth the money is Dr’s Woods and Twohig’s Trichotillomania: an ACT-Enhanced Behavior Therapy Approach. I would read the therapist book first, and then work through the workbook. It will substantially increase your self awareness! You can always call me at TLC, 831-457-1004 (days) if you want to chat!
Much love, Christina

]]> By: Anna http://blog.trich.org/2009/09/17/my-steps-to-trichotillomania-recovery-2/#comment-374 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 06:05:25 +0000 http://blog.trich.org/?p=64#comment-374 Dear Christina,

I’m a kid about to turn 20 and have had trichotillomania since I was ~10. It’s getting a really critical point, and I’m trying to finally force myself to recover from it once and for all. Hearing about the progress you and the other posters have made is really inspiring – thank you for putting your story out on the web for others who need a glimmer of hope to find!

I have some questions about steps (3) and (4): which books/workbooks did you use in your recovery? Would you recommend certain of those books over others? Also, the self-monitoring mentioned in step (4): is the process of how to self-monitor outlined in one of the books, or if not, what are the key aspects that one should be aware of when practicing self-monitoring?

Also, I just wanted to write a small shout-out to Marcia: I’ve also started taking the NAC tablets, but only for about a month. My mom and I weren’t too sure on the dosage, though – the study said 2 a day was the minimum effective dosage, but I’m curious to know what dosage worked for you, as you’re having such terrific results with it!

Thank you again Christina, and Beth, Jessica, Marcia, and Kelly, too!! :)
I’m so glad I found your blog!
Anna

]]> By: Kelly http://blog.trich.org/2009/09/17/my-steps-to-trichotillomania-recovery-2/#comment-246 Fri, 02 Oct 2009 03:12:39 +0000 http://blog.trich.org/?p=64#comment-246 Wow Christina,
I am amazed . . . after a significant episode over the past summer I feel I have beaten myself with all the plucking. I didn’t even know I had a diagnosed condition. I have been plucking since I was in high school some 30 years ago and have had periods of happiness where I did not touch my eyes. I am going thru a period now that is the worst it has ever been.
After discovering all the information on the web, and your blog I will take on my quest to learn positive behaviors to fight this horror. Thank you for your insights, I look forward to reading more.

]]> By: tlctrichster http://blog.trich.org/2009/09/17/my-steps-to-trichotillomania-recovery-2/#comment-228 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 23:38:56 +0000 http://blog.trich.org/?p=64#comment-228 Dearest Marcia, great to hear from you, and even better to get a hug last week! The answer to your question is TTM can definitely contribute to musculo-skeletal complications. Tendonitis, etc. from the repetitive behavior. And if you are prone to arthritis anyway, it just exacerbates everything. Love oodles, Christina

]]> By: Marcia Escudero http://blog.trich.org/2009/09/17/my-steps-to-trichotillomania-recovery-2/#comment-226 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 02:38:14 +0000 http://blog.trich.org/?p=64#comment-226 I have been taking NAC since the study findings were publicized and find my pulling has almost stopped. However, for the past several months I am experiencing pain in both shoulders. I wonder if this is due to 50 years of having my hands on my head. Have you heard og this problem in others?

]]> By: jessica http://blog.trich.org/2009/09/17/my-steps-to-trichotillomania-recovery-2/#comment-221 Fri, 18 Sep 2009 20:37:12 +0000 http://blog.trich.org/?p=64#comment-221 thanks 4 the encouragement i know all is possible with God who gives me strength. but its so nice to hear from someone whos actually overcome this thing!

]]> By: Beth Burson http://blog.trich.org/2009/09/17/my-steps-to-trichotillomania-recovery-2/#comment-220 Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:33:30 +0000 http://blog.trich.org/?p=64#comment-220 Thank you for the positive and relayable tips! Was much needed!

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