Lived Experience Forum

[NatureLover]

Wow, @Nat29 ! You spent 20 years skin picking and then stopped? Did you also have the trichotillomania at the same time, or did you swop from one to the other? I would be fascinated to hear how you stopped, if you feel you can share that...

I've been thinking more about the trichotillomania, and in an article that @Rhye  linked on the new thread I started, it says that trichotillomania and skin picking are related. (The thread is Excoriation Disorder ) My tying my hair in knots is also a soothing behaviour, except that it results in me ripping my hair out to get the knots out. 

Tagging @AlSimon too for the new thread link and @Nat29 's post above. 🙂

[NatureLover]

Just saw your second message, @Nat29 ... I am 50 and female, similar to you 🙂 I'm on antidepressants too, and they are supposed to help the OCD germophobia too, which they do I guess. I have only once tried to focus on the Exposure Response Prevention Therapy for the OCD, and it was a big failure as I felt the whole house was being contaminated. I chose to focus on my 5 other MIs (mental illnesses) plus my childhood trauma instead. 

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@Nat29 wrote:

I've seen some pychologists who knew nothing about Trich. So weird. So that's embarrassing. 

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That must have been so hard for you 😞 And hard to trust someone who has never heard of it too 😞

What do you do, do you wear a scarf or hat? I am going to have to look at wigs if I pull any more of my hair out! I've already made note of a local wig shop, for when it gets to that point...

Tagging @AlSimon  also, for the germophobia bits...

[EternalFlower]

Hi @Nat29 

Welcome and thank u for Ur post

I suffer from trich as well

I was shocked to see a new show life and beth, with a character who experiences experiences.

I haven't told my therapist, as for me I don't pick out my hairs from my head, but other areas. It is embarrassing.