I am a 21 year old female, and I have been
hair pulling/tugging since I was around 9
years old.
It wasn't until a year or two ago that I
thought to myself, "Hm, why do I do that?
That's a bit weird," so I started doing
research online. I have only ever pulled
my hair to the extent of baldness once,
and it was a spot so small it eventually
grew back.
I've found that:
- It usually occurs in (but not limited
to) females, beginning during puberty.
- Occurs not only on the scalp, but in
eyelashes, eyebrows, arm hair. Anywhere
there is hair.
- Is considered (proven?) to be a
mental/anxiety issue, not a physical
issue.
- Is allegedly triggered by stressful
situations
- Most often, the person doesn't even
realize they're doing it.
- Can be 'treated' with therapy.
(Therapists usually suggest stress relief
practices, and forcing yourself to pay
attention and correct yourself when you
find you're doing it.)
But I still have a host of questions. I
have yet to consult a doctor (I have asked
a doctor or two in passing- one thought it
was bizarre, the other referred me to a
psychologist).
I have heard theories and claims that
trich is not just limited to hair pulling.
If trich is indeed what I am experiencing,
then I experience the sensation in several
places, such as my two middle toes
(underneath the nail), my right ring
finger (underneath the nail), my tongue
(inside my tongue, near the tip), as well
as my eyelashes, the crown of my head even
my pubic area.
It is nearly impossible to describe the
sensation that makes me want to tug at my
hair, chew on my tongue, pull at my nails,
etc. To my credit, I have controlled the
issue to the point where I do not pull OUT
my hair, just tug on it to relieve the
sensation. Its much like a mosquito bite
that is somehow too far underneath the
skin to itch.
I also find that my hair areas are the
least bothersome, unlike most people who
suffer from trich. I have pulled off BOTH
my toenails several times in an attempt to
ease the sensation. I have absolutely
daydreamed about getting my tongue pierced
if only cease the weird feeling.
But most times I don't really recognize
I'm doing it until I've hurt myself. Just
the other night I found myself with a
sewing needle in hand, digging at my right
middle toe, wondering why I was bleeding
all of the sudden.
It is very difficult for me to accept that
this is a mental/anxiety issue because for
me it is just so physical. I had always
thought perhaps I was just wired wrong or
something.
Any information anyone has on this issue
would be very helpful. I will have to see
a doctor about it, I know that for sure.
But I prefer to go into the doctor's
office loaded with information so they
can't just blow me off.
If anyone has heard of any other disorder
that sounds like it might fit better with
what I am experiencing, that would also be
helpful.
