Hair Pulling Suggestions???? HELP!! !!

Post Reply New Topic

Hi! I have a professional diagnosis of Asperger's and I have a problem....

I've been trying for years to stop pulling my hair out, but nothing seems to work. Usually over the summer I can get myself to stop, but once school starts, so does the hair pulling. I'm pretty sure it's stress-induced, but also when I'm bored just doing homework or watching tv or something I'll absentmindedly feel around and pull a few out. It's all based on texture--my hair is really thick, so I'm always pulling out the wiry ones that I don't like the feel of. I feel like suck a freak always pulling my hair out, and I really want to stop!! ! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!! !! !

I've already tried giving myself rewards for not pulling hair (doesn't work) and even punishment (whenever my sister sees me tugging on my hair, she smacks me ) still doesn't work! And I've tried rubbing an eraser or something but it's not the same at all, I need that wiry feeling and then the pull. Hate this nasty habit, wish I could just stop!! !! ! Oh and also if I'm not pulling my hair, I'm picking at my face. Why am I so fidgety?! !! !! ! Want to stop!! !! !!

Thanks so much for any help/suggestions!! !! !

Hi Ikathryn

I found this page, they have a few suggestions http://www.trich.org/treatment/50WaystoStopl.html

Shadi

Thank you so much!! !! Yes this is very helpful. I'll have to try some of these methods, hpefully one will do the trick!! !! Thanks again!

You're welcome

i never used to pull my hair when it was short. a year ago or so i decided to grow my hair long and now i find my self pulling hair out alot. im having the same problems you have at trying to stop this habbit.
im thinking of cutting it short again, perhaps that will fix the problem.
dont know if thats an option for you, cause otherwise im stumped.

sounds like OCD which is like the best friend of Autism.
Well there are a few things you can do...you can see a psychiatrist to be put on meds
or
you can see a behavioral psychologist that specializes in Ocd...and there are behavoral treatments for this, they take time, and money..hopefully you have insurance...but you dont get side effects and you get more control over your mind.
or
you can shave your head, donate your hair to the cancer kids and wear alot of eye shadow and mascara.
or
you can just come to terms with that is what you do...and accept that is part of you.

those are your solutions.
any one of them would work. I have a friend of mine who does the same thing...she decided to shave her head and wear make-up.

I on the other hand twirl my curls around until they knot up...and then my ends split.
I just keep the ends trimmed and accept that is just me.

But as a psychology major in college, I do know that the behavoral therapy route works almost as good as medicine, and the results are more long lasting. The behavoral treatment actually changes the chemistry of the brain much like medicine does but over a longer period of time.
With medication, the change is quicker, but if you stop taking your meds..your back to square one and the change back to previous level of seritonin can be sudden and strong.
So I recomend behavoral therapy as the BEST solution, but I wanted to list other options so you can make an informed decision.

@ethicsSym3k:

I know isn't it frustrating? Unfortunately I don't think I could handle the short hair--tried that once in seventh grade and don't want to go there again!! !! ! terrible look for me but hope it works for you! Thanks for the suggestion.

@jojobean:

I don't really want to go the psychoogist route, far too expensive. I'm hoping I can kick this one on my own. And the bald thing would terrify me, I'm far too self-concious!! !! Your friend sounds like a brave soul!!

OCD? Does hair pulling fit for that? I've never thought of the possibility that I might have it...interesting, though. Thank you!

i was just wondering if anyone else in your family pulls hair. cause my grandmother and my sister does it more than i do. i know it stress related, but like you i aslo notice i do it when i get bored. although OCD also kinda runs through my family.

Carry objects to manipulate with your hands so you avoid the hair pulling.

agreed. If therapy is too exspensive replace one behavior with another...ocd usually does not care as long as there is a ritual of some sort. A great toy is meditation balls. You rotate them around in your hand and it has been believed by the ancient asians to have healing properties as the balls massage all five energy centers in your palm.
either way...they come in jade or stainless steel with little bells inside that when you move them at the right speed make a very pleasant whirling musical sound.

hope this helps
and yes my friend is fearless...except when it comes to homophobes as she is also bisexual.

ohh and the difference between an Ocd behavior and a stimming behavior is a small but significant. Stimming behavior is comforting or relaxing to a certain degree, but Ocd behavior brings no comfort to the person doing it...quite the opposite. Ocd rituals defy the person doing them...they feel as if they have no control over what they are doing, but it is distressing. The more you try to stop...the harder the ritual digs in. Repklacing a bad ritual with a good one makes it easier to cope.

Trichotillomania is a compulsive disorder. I think it's classified in the same category as Kleptomania and gambling addiction.
Have you tried wearing some sort of head cover? When you're at home of an evening maybe put on a bandana or beanie so at least there's an obstacle in the way of you grabbing at those strands.

Ok see now I'm not sure what it is. Cuz I like the feeling while I'm doing it, but then afterwards when I see all the hair everywhere I'm naturally very upset. Maybe its stimming and OCD?

Nope, no one else in my family pulls their hair. I'm the only diagnosed aspie, and my family's always getting frustrated with me for all my oddities. My parents are always on me about my hair, saying its the stupidest thing they can think of someone doing and so illogical. They're right, but it's not like there's anything I can do about it!! !!

But the ball idea sounds like a good idea, jojobean, thank you. Wondering if the jingling would distract me from my homework?? :O I'm easily distracted..

Oh also yes I tried wearing a hat around the house...I hated that thing I never wear hats so it just got in my way and drove me crazy!! !! ! But thank you for the suggestion!! !

the jade ones dont jingle....sometimes you can get them on Ebay at for about 30 dollars

I agree with what others have said here. Therapy might be good, too. I started reaching for my hair in a very stressful time in my life and because I was in therapy for ocd (among other things) I was able to fight off the impulse by dealing with what was causing the anxiety. It's very difficult because it's like your hand goes up to your hair of its own accord. I hope you're able to stop doing it. Good luck.

I suffered from Trichotillomania for awhile as a child. I'm not really sure how I stopped. I'm going to guess I moved to biting my finger nails to relieve the anxiety and compulsion. The timing of the two work out about right, but it may just be a coincidence. (still bite the finger nails to this day)