Trichotillomania TTM Online Support Group

I have suffered from tricho since I was 8 or 9 years old. Everything went - eyelashes, eyebrows, hair on my head, on my body - everything. Most of my childhood was spent covering up, wearing hats most of time, coming up with excuses to people as to why I didn't have all my hair - I usually said it was an allergic reaction.

When I was 17, I however started managing my tricho much better and I had a full set of hair continuously for long and I had eyelashes a great part of time as well. In my early 20'es I however sometimes had periods where I pulled the hair on my head again and got spots of thin hair (not balled though) - this was however easy to cover and I never had to do 'crazy hair styles' to cover it up like I often had to before when not wearing a hat. Since I turned 17, I always managed to stop myself from pulling my hair before it got too bad.

I also had eyelashes most of the time. Not always 100% of my eyelashes, but enough to be able to cover than some were missing by using eyeliner and mascara. Some days however, they would all go from time to time.

I've kept pulling my eyebrows as I found allowing myself to pull some hair, rather than stopping completely made it easier for me not to suddenly end up pulling everything off.

However, the past year my pulling has gotten as bad as it was when I was a child and teenager. I had some bad issues with someone close to me that made my pulling go crazy. But now it's just continued. I cannot seem to stop myself again like I used to. These issues that made me pull too much a year ago, might still be affecting me. But I also think it's because now I got started doing it too much (something I haven't done this much since before I was 17) and now I just can't stop. I have a massive balled spot on my head and it's just getting bigger and bigger. I had managed to let it grow out enough to get a short haircut soon back in January - but then I ended up pulling it all off again. So annoying! Want my hair back!

I feel your pain! I hear you when you say just enough to cover with liner. I wish I understood Trichotillomania better. I am trying. I wish I could stop. Hang in there I know how you feel!

my 8 yr old been pulling her eyelashes sence she was 3 she has only did her eyelashes did you always pull all your hair im just know coming to terms with it and trying to lern more to help her