trichtillomania

[ThatGirlYouUsedToKnow]

Hey

I need some advice. I have replaced my self harm with pulling my hair out. I get the same buzz but I can hide the hair pulling and cannot cut as my new tattoo will be ruined. But I need to grow my hair for a wedding in September.

Anyone any tips on what to do? I really am struggling

[Sketchy]

Is there anything that has helped in the past? Would treating yourself to a new hair cut be something to aim for, something to help you stop? I'm aware it's not that simple, but maybe it could work in a similar way as the tattoo.
Are there any distractions that help?

[Irisflower]

Hi, I have trich too, have had it for over 30 years. Like you I have learned to hide it. BTW good for you for getting a tattoo that will stop you from self harming:)
Maybe therapy might help the trich? I have managed to stop for periods but not permanently. Not sure if that is due to how much I care about it or not. I find it soothing and generally pull hairs in private and from different places so there are no bald spots. Don't know if pulling from different, not just one place is a strategy that might work for you. Other things that have helped me include wearing a kerchief on my head at times like when reading that I pull, keeping fidget toys that kind of replace the sensation around, trying to train myself to mentally associate pulling with something I don't like/something negative, and doing actions that don't go with pulling, like tackling laundry or dishes instead of reading, which leads to pulling.
Good luck with it and hopefully you will have a good time at the wedding, even if you relapse (you can always try again after relapsing).

[~phoenix~]

I'm also a member of the trich group. I've found that prozac has been lessening my urges, and I'm currently sat here, writing out a list of 100 possible alternatives for when that blasted urge hits.

There's a trichotillomania FB group, and I've found they're a major help. One of the ideas I've seen is for a trich buddy, someone you just message whenever you get the urge. Also, there's a few habit tracking apps I use, one of which is Habitica. I've set 'trich' as a recurring habit, hitting a + when I resist an urge, the - when I don't. As it's set up as an RPG, you quickly see the damage when you give in, and you see rewards when you don't.

Are there any particular hairs you struggle with? Greys? Curly hairs? Split ends?