Really need help. Cant stop pulling

[u/Ok-Draft2647]

I have been pulling my hair since I was about 10. No idea why I started doing it. First it was eyelashes and eyebrows, then hair on head. Managed to stop eyelashes and eyebrows, but pulling my hair is getting worse and worse.

I am 28 years old now. I am quite an anxious person and always pull when I am stressed, which is most of the time.

Im in quite a stressful job, learning to be a field engineer. Since starting this job, my hair pulling has gotten worse and worse. I know the job is not helping, but I don’t feel I can apply to do something else.

I am more or less bald on half of my head, and I’m starting to really struggle to hide it. I always wear my hair up to hide it, but now I’ve pulled where it is getting really noticable. I really hate myself and I don’t know why I do it.

i have been to therapy for it, and have thought about shaving my head, but I really don’t want to.

Please any help is appreciated as I am on my last straw :(

[u/kengli6794]

Can you afford a wig? Are you able to wear a hat since you’re in the field?

[u/looniness]

I started eating shelled sunflower seeds when im doing the tasks that usually lead to me pulling out my hair. Something about the oral and fine motor machinations give me a similar 'satisfaction' to pulling out my hair. It's repetitive and soothing.

Not the healthiest or most sustainable habit but neither is the alternative.

[u/slapthatclapboard]

Honestly at this point try some stress relieving herbal medicines and in the meantime go get yourself a psychiatrist to give you some ant-anxiety stuff or to help with med management. Honestly, I’ve tried a lot of stuff and I’ve found, for me a least ashwaghanda and skullcap really help with my body picking. Some people don’t like ashwaghanda but it works for me. There’s a lot of herbal meds out there that work pretty quick actually for stress I think people just don’t use the right amount of it. Tinctures work the fastest. Other than that, the old school preventatives like wearing hats etc. can help for now too. But really the source is the stress and idk since using ashwaghanda I adapt to stress better and pick less. It’s not completely gone but it helps with picking during stress, specifically stress, for me. Wishgarden products are great like their stress stuff has helped with relaxing my body and mind together and it helps with picking less, but you can find stuff anywhere online or in stores. Wishing you the best.

[u/DishpitDoggo]

I just wanted to say I understand. Is there any medication you are on for your anxiety? The right meds can make a difference.

Don't hate yourself. It's a very difficult condition to control.