Quote:
Originally Posted by GLWSB
Hello Wintersnow,
I started pulling my hair out around 15. I've had bald spots but could cover them up. For many years I often felt stuck in one place for many hours - such as watching TV, or reading, pulling hair out, splitting hair, ripping at my hair. I couldn't stop at these times. I'd get so tired I eventually want to bed.
I have three sisters who also pull their hair out. It's horrible to watch. My brothers do not have this problem.
At age 40, I decided to believe that for me this was a horrible habit, rather than a mental health problem. As soon as I decided my problem was a habit I started to recover. I had a feeling of some control over it. I'm now 51 and can happily say I no longer rip the hair out of my head.
I had a very difficult childhood and think this contributed to a lot of stress. I feel my hair pulling was in response to that stress that continued as a habit whenever I was stressed. Sometimes I pulled my hair out for no reason at all.
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Hello again Wintersnow,
I wanted to let you know, in addition to my post above, that by age 41, I was free of my hair pulling habit. I have not pulled my hair out for ten years and it feels great.
You too can overcome - I know it, as I've done it and I had a 15 - 16 year long habit. You have to believe you will be free of this, even if it takes time to get there. Self doubt is normal but if you can develop a 'dust if off and try again' attitude you will win over time.
I have had many difficult times in life, in addition to hair pulling, and for me making the decision that I am not a mad or crazy person, but just a normal person who has many challenges helps me.
