Trichotillomania

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Comment by Lilly Lady on March 9, 2010 at 12:57pm

Hello Everyone! I just read something so uplifting!

Bald? So What!!

Just a little phrase like that has made me smile:)

What we have really stinks. I know it does, but after 40 years of it, I've got to deal with it with a little more grace and humor.

Nice to be here,
Lily

Comment by Leslie on December 14, 2009 at 12:14am

just wanted to say hi . . . & i'm new here. it doesn't look like anyone
visits this group very often though. i hope that will change.

Comment by Miriam on September 21, 2009 at 11:43pm

Hi, I've had trichotillomania since I was 8 or earlier - but I didn't have a name for it til I was almost 30 (I'm 37 now), I just shave my head now - not much grows back at this point, though some of that is probably female pattern baldness. Double whammy :) I do miss my hair and dream about it sometimes, and I wear wigs for fun sometimes, but I feel bad hiding the situation. So I don't.

I feel for you, J. :) I'm Jewish too, and once had a full-on neo-Nazi skinhead next-door neighbor try to make friends with me... and he knew where I lived, so I didn't want to antagonize him. Very disturbing situation. But he moved, and I moved.

Anyway, it is always a treat to meet people with trichotillomania - I LOVE meeting people who understand what it's like.

Comment by J. Mirovich on July 6, 2009 at 2:18am

Hello:

I would like to join this group. I am generally a completely normal, everyday-type person - but I have suffered from trichotillomania since at least 1996 and don't know quite what to make of it or what to do. In the hopes of avoiding any permanent damage to my scalp or hair follicles, I generally shave my head - but this itself often leads to questions.

My mother, needless to say, is concerned about me. I love her so much but I don't know quite what to tell her. Likewise my various girlfriends over the years (many find it unattractive and some have wondered if I'm not secretly a member of some cult, etc.). My colleagues at work, neighbors, etc. sometimes ask me good-natured and innocent questions about my hair but I don't feel quite comfortable discussing it with them. The best I can tell them is that I come from a military family (true) and that I have the same hairstyle as my father, a career Marine (also true) - but of course that isn't the whole story. I want people to feel at ease with me -- but I'm afraid they think I'm more than a little eccentric and maybe holding something back from them.

A few years ago, someone who didn't like me spread a (totally false) rumor that I was a Skinhead, citing my shaved head as "evidence." This person even knew I was Jewish but that didn't stop them. It was one of the worst experiences of my life.

Does anybody have any suggestions as to what I should/shouldn't do?

Best,

J.

Comment by Kathy on May 20, 2009 at 12:18pm

Hi Ashleigh! I'm sorry you're struggling with this bizarre condition -- I've had it for over 36 years and I've finally accepted that I simply will never understand it. I don't know why we have this "thing", I don't know how to get away from it and I don't really believe that there are supposedly thousands and thousands of people who have trich. Where are all of these people?!! So, here are the things that I do know. We do NOT have any control over having this condition. We did NOTHING wrong to be blessed with trichotillomania. And with all my soul I believe that this is not a condition or problem that we pass on to our children. This condition is so deep within the core that no one would simply start pulling because they saw someone else do it. Interestingly, being lots older than you, I chose for years and years to hide my trich from my kids. I never worried that they might develop this condition, rather I struggled with the embarrassment of pulling. I hid this condition from everyone, as best I could. And then, an amazing thing happened. My best friend was diagnosed with breast cancer last summer. She had surgery and chemo and radiation -- and yes, she lost her hair. I quickly and easily decided to shave my head in support of her -- I shaved my head just days before she lost her hair. THANK GOD my friend is healthy and beautiful and cancer free!! And today her hair is growing in like crazy. And today, I continue to shave my head and celebrate the fact that I no longer struggle with trich!! I know this decision is viewed by many as quite drastic, but for me, it is an end to a struggle I simply decided to put behind me. I believe that some people can stop pulling and can find ways to lessen the urges. I believe that my urges were bigger than me and I chose to no longer fight the battle. NO. I did not give up. I just decided to take a different stance on this. And when I compare this with the terrifying fight my friend had against cancer, I can easily put this in perspective. I am not sick and the stuff that is on my head (or used to be!), is only hair. It doesn't define who I am or what kind of person I am. It's just hair. Its just hair. And so, dear friend, I hope you don't mind this lengthy note -- hope I haven't bored you!! I hope you can find the strength to accept yourself -- with or without hair!! You have my support and understanding and love. Hold your head up high and have a wonderful day!! : )

Comment by Del on February 22, 2009 at 12:50pm

I've had Trichotillomania since I was 12, Now i'm trying desperately to stop pulling, I'll shave my head and wait until It grows out, but as soon as it gets long enough I start pulling again. There have actually been some times where my fingernails have cut through the skin on my fingers while I pulled. If anyone has any tips at all, please comment me :)

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Comment by Kathy on November 9, 2008 at 11:48pm

Hi friends! I'm looking at this group site and had a few questions. Am I still the only one who is a member of this Trichotillomania group that actually has TTM? I'm told that there are millions who also have this condition, but I wonder where they all are. I am thrilled that Alopecia World exists, and recognizes TTM as part of the Alopecia family but I still hope to connect with others who also have TTM. Meanwhile, Angela, forgive me if I seem a bit absent minded --- did I ever respond to your comment? I was certain I had, but since I don't see it here, I'm wondering if I just dreamt of my reply! Yes, Angela, I do have trichotillomania and have struggled with it for over 35 years. There is an organization known as TLC (Trichotillomania Learning Center) that also offers wonderful support and information. If your daughter has any questions, I'd be happy to try and answer them. My condition, as best as I recall, first presented itself when I was about 16 years old. Here I am now 51, and absolutely happy and accepting of my TTM --- and it took me 35 years to get here. I decided to shave my head about 5 weeks ago and am now wearing wigs which has been surprisingly fun. Anyway, I'm happy to talk with you anytime and I welcome your friendship!!! Kathy

Comment by Angela on October 12, 2008 at 5:57am

Hi there,
I've been a member for a short time, trying to navigate around this site. It has so much info. Anyway my daughter has trichotillomania and I have alopecia. There are other trich sites out there. Do you have trichotillomania Kathy?
Nice to meet you all
Angela R

Comment by Kathy on October 3, 2008 at 1:24am

Hello! Are there really any other people out there that are living with trichotillomania?!! I've never had a conversation with or met ANYONE who also has this condition. This Alopecia World website offers such fabulous support, and to have trich included is amazing to me. I cannot tell you how much I welcome being a part of such an amazing group of people!