Hair picking

[vannpire]

One of the compulsions I hate the most is hair picking (trichotillomania) which even after starting my OCD treatment doesn't seem to go away. I know it's been relatively soon since I started taking meds, but will this compulsion go away eventually? Does anyone else also have this problem and what solution to it have you discovered? I can't find a source that says it is 100% OCD related, so I'm kind of bummed out that it may not go away. I've done so much damage to my (otherwise beautiful) beard and I continue pick hairs from it as from other body parts, too. Any insight is welcomed. If a medical professional sees this, please do reach out. Thank you.

[deValentin]

Our choices depend often on how we frame them. For instance, if the choice is between pulling one's hair once and not doing it, we'd usually prefer the first option if it relieves some psychological distress for a while (hair-pulling or trichotillomania is an OCD related disorder that helps temporarily relieve distress or tension). However, if the choice is between spending one's whole life pulling one's hair or not doing it, we'd usually prefer the second option because the long-term consequences of hair-pulling are extremely difficult to bear. It's why trichotillomania is also characterized by repeated attempts to decrease or stop the behavior.

So, why not look at the big picture and decide how you'd like to spend the rest of your life? Once you decide that, expect the path towards that goal to be filled with obstacles. Find healthier ways to manage your stress. A little bit of stress is good; it makes life more interesting. Too much stress makes it unappealing. Small successes will provide you with enough motivation to strive for further small successes. Count on the appeasing effect of the passing of time. Feel the urge to pull your hair and do nothing. Trichotillomania is a self-feeding cycle, similar to binge eating or a shopping spree in some regards. Once you start, it becomes extremely difficult to stop the episode. You start to think, "I’ve got so far, I may as well continue". Then you end up having nothing to lose anymore, which makes you throw caution to the wind.

Personally, I find that many strategies used to overcome addictions can be used to free oneself from OCD because engaging in compulsions is, in the short term, a tempting way to relieve one's discomfort, but, in the long term, a counterproductive one. Likewise, striving for an OCD and related disorders-free life may be difficult at times, but it's worth it in the end.

[Sallyskins]

I have compulsive skin picking which is very similar. If I have a tag of skin I can't resist pulling it off. It's related to OCD, but so far medication and CBT haven't made much difference.

If I have a loose bit of skin I have difficulty in concentrating on anything else until I've picked it off, often to the point of making it sore. And once I start it's difficult to stop.

For me, keeping my hands busy helps - if I'm doing something useful with them it takes my mind off the picking. And if my hands are idle, then I start picking as if automatically.

I'm sorry this is not of much help - just that I sympathize and would welcome any good suggestions on how to stop it!

[vannpire in reply to Sallyskins]

Ugh, I do that too sometimes... but not as much as I pick my hairs. Once I start I don't stop until I've pulled out 30-40 hairs... I have bald patches on my beard. I, too, have noticed that I do that whenever my hands are not busy. I just can't sit still. If I watch TV or whatever, I will most definitely start touching my beard and eventually continue on pulling it. One by one. Sometimes my SO tells me to stop and that snaps me out of it, but usually I keep on doing it after a while again. It irritates me to the point that when I see the bald patches forming I get so mad at myself, that I want to punch myself. The only time I don't pull out hairs is at work. Because of two things - no time to do it and what's most important - because my hands are never clean enough. So, yeah, I only do this at home, when I know that I have washed my hands thoroughly.

You telling me medication and CBT made no difference is rather discouraging, but I appreciate you being honest. I will need to really find a way to stop doing it, I hate going out looking like a featherless chicken. My doctor told me that when we find the right meds, I may stop... but I guess there's no guarantee in that.

[Sallyskins in reply to vannpire]

It's so difficult to stop once you start, isn't it? I've found that if I can resist starting, then it's easier. It's a problem - so let me know if you have any ways to combat it!

[vannpire in reply to Sallyskins]

True that, but my problem is that I usually can't resist starting in the first place. I know it's ridiculous and I know I shouldn't, but my fingers always find their way into my hairs.

If anything changes for the better, I'll let you know. I doubt it will be soon, though. I hope my doctor knows what she's doing, so far I have complete trust in her.

[IStillHaveHope]

Hello. You mentioned you were taking meds, but are you seeing a therapist as well? I know that medicine and therapy has something like an 85% success rate for OCD, but am not sure about hair picking. Seeing a therapist would likely help you develop skills for negating the hair picking as well.

[vannpire in reply to IStillHaveHope]

Hello. I am not seeing a therapist at the moment, but planning on starting soon. I hope I could start soon... We're still waiting for the meds start kick in.

[IStillHaveHope in reply to vannpire]

Yeah waiting for the meds to kick in is tough. I know for me they increased my symptoms for a week or two before they started working. However once they did it was quite literally life changing. Therapy with the meds helped a ton as well. It's good to know that you don't have to do this alone. I wish you luck on your journey my friend. May God bless you!

[vannpire in reply to IStillHaveHope]

Yes, I can only imagine the relief one feels after meds actually start working. I sure hope I'm on the right path, too. Tomorrow I'm seeing my therapist and am gonna ask if she thinks it's time I started working with a therapist, as well.

Thank you! May you be blessed, too.

[ShameekaIocdf Moderator IOCDF Staff]

youtu.be/WkfBtT4VbI4?featur...(Not working as expected?)

This video may give you some insight into how others cope with the symptoms . They maybe helpful . Hope it is helpful!

[vannpire in reply to ShameekaIocdf]

Thank you, I will check this one out!

[Natureloverpeace]

I don’t know much about this subject other than it’s a BFRB (Body focused repetitive behavior) disorder that is related to OCD. Habit reversal training is the treatment that has the most empirical evidence in its treatment although Charles Mansueto, an OCD expert, writes about using augmented HRT (habit reversal training) and another treatment called ComB treatment.

[Sallyskins in reply to Natureloverpeace]

That sounds interesting!