Dealing with Trichotillomania and Dermatillomania

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[Th3_Thr3ad_Kill3r]

Table of Contents
+ Introduction
+ Descriptions
+ News/Updates
+ FAQs
+ Links/Sources
+ Black List
+ White List

I'll need to add new banners soon because my current ones are outdated but I have no computer software available to me at this time so please PM me if you're willing to make some banners! The volunteer will be White Listed. heart

[Th3_Thr3ad_Kill3r]

Hello and welcome to my first support thread. My name is Amy and I've long been a member of Gaia since the summer of '04 (don't let my current avatar fool you razz ).

I created this thread in hopes of bringing together the people, who either knows someone suffereing from Trichotillomania (the ch pronounced as a hard 'k') and/or Dermatillomania. Unfortunately, I suffer from both conditions and have ever since I was 9. That's ten years of suffering. sad

For the longest time I had no idea why I picked at my skin or pulled my hair. I just thought it was a bad reaction to a medication I was taking for my ADHD but I've long grown out of my ADHD and now know why I do the things that I do.

The biggest issue I face with these conditions are low self-confidence, small balding patches from pulling my hair, and obvious facial wounds from picking my skin. There are days when I can't look at anyone in the face because I'm too self-concious about my own and there've been times when I've used headbands to cover up my hair pulling. I often apply foundation to try to make my picking less noticable and even that can only last for so long.

Ever since my first year of college ended, I went on a pulling spree and the result of that was a fairly large bald spot that I had to cover up with either a wide headband or a scarf for a while but thankfully my hair has fully grown back in despite the new hair being shorter than the rest.

So, I took a big step and got a completely new haircut. It's the shortest it's ever been and I thought change would do me good and as you can see, it was the best thing I could do for my hair.

I was tired of feeling like some creep because of my problem and now, I'm accepting what I do and am comfortable with myself.

I hope that many of you will come to find this thread helpful if not informative.

[Th3_Thr3ad_Kill3r]

"Trichotillomania is a rare impulse control disorder in which the sufferer compulsively pulls out his or her own hair. People with trichotillomania most commonly pull hair from their scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows, or pubic area. While most people with trichotillomania pluck each hair out at the roots, others may pull out large handfuls at a time."

- Taken from wisegeek.com

"Dermatillomania: A form of obsessive compulsive disorder where a person compulsively picks at their own skin. Sufferers can feel the pain they inflict on themselves but the feelings of gratification and stress relief prevent them from stopping. The severity and extent of damage to the skin is variable. Stress and anxiety can trigger the compulsive skin picking."

- Taken from wrongdaiagnosis.com

[Th3_Thr3ad_Kill3r]

Yellow Jubi is the first blacklisted Gaian. Hah. December 3.
Thread has made it to 50 pages! A milestone! Yay!
Added yet another link. August 2nd.
Added new links. July 7th.
Updated introduction post. June 15th. (Also the day I turned 20!)
Thread reaches 30 pages. June 1st.
Had first picture day. May 25.
Added Neo-Generation Hippie to my White List. May 18.
Added a couple FAQs. May 18.
Fixed Links and Sources (finally). May 12.
Thread reaches 20 pages. May 12.
Added Stop Picking On Me website link. May 3.
Added a couple banners to Links and Sources post. May 1.
Made first poll titled "Which do you suffer from most?". April 28.
-Added question to FAQs. April 21.
-Edited 1st page links for readability. April 19.
-Thread reaches 10 pages! April 19.
-Thread's first male poster, GDI7007 made his first post on page 7.
-Changed color of text. April 18
-Added banners to the posts in 1st page. April 18
-Made a couple link adjustments in Descriptions and Links. April 18
-The thread is now open! April 17

[Th3_Thr3ad_Kill3r]

Please forgive the lack of an image, I'll fix this eventually soon!

Here is a list of frequently asked questions (here on this thread or on various websites) which may be helpful.

How Do I Know If I Have Trichotillomania?
Although the symptoms range greatly in severity, location on the body, and response to treatment, most people with TTM pull enough hair over a long enough period of time that they have bald spots on their heads (or missing eyelashes, eyebrows, pubic, or underarm hair), which they go to great lengths to cover with hairstyles, scarves or clothing, or makeup. The persistence of the compulsion can vary considerably: For some people, at some times, it is mild and can be quelled with a bit of extra awareness and concentration. For others, the urge may be so strong that it makes thinking of anything else nearly impossible.

What Are Other Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors?
Skin Picking (aka, neurotic excoriation, dermatillomania). Characterized by repetitive picking of one's skin to the extent it causes damage. Individuals may pick at skin variations such as moles, freckles, or blemishes. This problem can lead to infection and permanent scarring.

Nail Biting (aka, Onychophagia). Characterized by repetitive biting of one's nails and/or cuticles to the extent it causes pain or damage. This problem can lead to infection and permanent scarring.

Is there a cure for Derma/Trichotillomania?
Unfortunately, no. Though there are treatments that can help to prevent you from picking or pulling.

What Treatments Are Available?
Research into treatments for trichotillomania has grown steadily over the past decade. Although no one treatment has been found to be effective for everyone, a number of treatment options have shown promise for some people with TTM. SLBMI offers both cognitive-behavioral therapy and pharmacological therapy for TTM.

What kind of treatments are there?
There are many things you can do to stop. Stress reducers such as excercising, yoga, and meditation can help a great deal. You can also focus on ways of relaxing like taking a hot bath or shower, napping, etc. It also helps to keep your hands busy with something else as soon as you notice you're picking or pulling too much. For instance, I like to play the DS all the time and that really helps.

I think I may have Trich/Dermatillomania but I'm not 100% sure.
This is mostly like the first faq that I've posted but it dealt only with Trich. For those skeptical about having Derm, the symptoms can be easy to spot. If you pick at imperfections constantly on your face, arms, legs, etc. and find it hard to stop picking knowing fully aware that you start to bleed; start getting infections from picking at certain areas for an extended amount of time, or have noticeable scarring from previous picking, then yes, it is a problem and should be looked into.

[Th3_Thr3ad_Kill3r]

Anyone can offer up suggestions to post in the Links and Sources section. Hope the list proves helpful!

arrow New!Forever Marked, a book on Dermatillomania Nova Scotian woman wrote a book on DTM. Her interview is featured in the videos section.

Wikipedia article on Dermatillomania

Wikipedia article on Trichotillomania

WebMD on Trichotillomania

Trich Learning Center An organization for people suffering not only from Trich, but from skin picking as well.

Stop Picking On Me Suggested by Raialyn.

Drug Shows Promise... Suggested by Riyko

Science Daily article Suggested by Gorax

Latisse Eyelash Growth Saw this product advertised on TV and had to share it with you guys.

Videos of DTM and TTM:

Trichotillomania: Examining a Rare Disease

arrow New!Dermatillomania News Interview The first interview of an author who has suffered from Dermatillomania for 10 years.

Banners

Neo-Generation-Hippie provided me with a couple banners. Feel free to add these to your signature. Spread the word.

[url=http://www.gaiaonline.com/forum/lifestyle-discussion/dealing-with-trichotillomania-and-dermatillomania/t.49175123_1/][img]http://i44.tinypic.com/21l0nyb.jpg[/img][/url]

[url=http://www.gaiaonline.com/forum/lifestyle-discussion/dealing-with-trichotillomania-and-dermatillomania/t.49175123_1/][img]http://i42.tinypic.com/295u6td.jpg[/img][/url]

[Th3_Thr3ad_Kill3r]

This is where all the rule breakers go. Of course, you don't want to end up on this list.

Yellow Jubi for being a sucky troll.

[Th3_Thr3ad_Kill3r]

Unlike the Black List, this is reserved for those who I feel deserve special acknowledgement. heart

Neo-Generation Hippie: She's sooo sweet and she's great at giving advice. She also came up with banners for the thread. Without her, there would be no banners. burning_eyes

RepoLadyWallace: This girl is packed with info. She was giving advice right from the get-go. =P

[Kcscooter]

ㄨ“Despite what you see...

Is this thread open? ^_^ If not, I will gladly delete my post!

I've had problems in the past with Trichotillomania, but with the help of my Partner I've been able to get a hold on myself and I haven't regressed in months! I still have to watch myself very carefully to make sure that I'm not falling back into old habits since I play with my hair a lot.

...I have confidence in me.”ㄨ

[sweet_oblivion]

I have issues with dermatillomania. It's really embarrassing for people to see my arms and my back. If my hands are not busy I am picking my skin until it bleeds. Even if I do better with it, the many scars are still there.

Activities like knitting and bead work help me not to pick so much.

[Th3_Thr3ad_Kill3r]

sweet_oblivion

I have issues with dermatillomania. It's really embarrassing for people to see my arms and my back. If my hands are not busy I am picking my skin until it bleeds. Even if I do better with it, the many scars are still there.

Activities like knitting and bead work help me not to pick so much.

I tend to pick at my face, lips and fingertips. I can't imagine having to deal with sores on my back and shoulders. D:

[Th3_Thr3ad_Kill3r]

Kcscooter

ㄨ“Despite what you see...

Is this thread open? ^_^ If not, I will gladly delete my post!

I've had problems in the past with Trichotillomania, but with the help of my Partner I've been able to get a hold on myself and I haven't regressed in months! I still have to watch myself very carefully to make sure that I'm not falling back into old habits since I play with my hair a lot.

...I have confidence in me.”ㄨ

You're lucky to get out of that nasty habbit. I'm getting worse with the hair pulling I do... sweatdrop I suffer from both of the conditions mentioned in this thread.

[sweet_oblivion]

I can't imagine sores on my fingers and face. That area is harder to hide. I can at least wear long sleeves to cover it up.

[Kcscooter]

a-morose-innocence

You're lucky to get out of that nasty habbit. I'm getting worse with the hair pulling I do... sweatdrop I suffer from both of the conditions mentioned in this thread.

ㄨ“Despite what you see...

*huggles* It was a very long process, but I'm sure that one day you'll be able to get help too. Have you tried wearing mittens/big gloves?

...I have confidence in me.”ㄨ

[Th3_Thr3ad_Kill3r]

sweet_oblivion

I can't imagine sores on my fingers and face. That area is harder to hide. I can at least wear long sleeves to cover it up.

I can't imagine fabric rubbing against the sores. Dx Honestly, I can't help it though... I tend to pick at blemishes on my face...