Posted by Mare on July 30, 1999, at 17:38:35
In reply to questions about trichotillomania, posted by Rachel on July 30, 1999, at 16:22:29
Hi Rachel. I have this, too. I have done it since I was a little girl -- as long as I can remember -- my whole life, and I'm 43 now! Yikes! I never told a soul, either, until I finally went into therapy, and my therapist sent me to a psychiatrist who diagnosed me as clinically depressed. My doctor says that trich is a compulsive behavior, and more common than people think. There are different extremes. I am lucky in that I only pull the hair on my head. Others pull their eyelashes, eyebrows and pubic hair until nothing is left. I definitely find that it increases during times of (1) great stress or (2) great boredom. But stress definitely takes its toll. My doctor also told me that the Celexa I am taking will probably help me with it, but it has not. I just try to control it with keeping my hands busy with other things -- sounds simplistic, but it works! Can you think of any significant development in your life that happened at 15 that might have triggered this behavior? Others may have other ideas -- I remember reading somewhere that it could be a vitamin deficiency, but I think that's hogwash! You may want to examine other areas of your life and see if other compulsions are present. Do you think you might be depressed? Is that why you are visiting this forum? You've educated yourself a little bit about it, I can see, because you spelled the word right! I remember this word being mentioned on Frasier once -- Niles made a joke about it -- and I was so shocked, and so sure that no one in the world would get the joke, because who knows what it even is, except for those of us that have it! Anyway, I have babbled on long enough. But be comforted with the fact that it's not the end of the world -- it does not mean you are weird, or crazy, or whatever. But please, if you suspect you might be depressed -- and so often if you suspect it, then you probably are -- then get some help. It was the BEST thing I ever did for myself. I cannot believe how much it has changed my life. And I waited way too long to get help. Take care. I'll check back in this forum on Monday to see if anyone else could help you, and just to see how you are. You are very brave!
poster:Mare
thread:9408
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990726/msgs/9410.html