Alpa started hair pulling at 10

I started pulling my eyelashes when I was about 10. I can’t remember the first time I did it. At 14 I started pulling my eyebrows too and soon I had to start pencilling them in. I often thought about this ‘habit’ of mine but didn’t tell anybody about it. I genuinely thought I was the only person in the whole world who did this.

A month before I turned 16, we got the internet installed at home. One afternoon I typed ‘pulling eyelashes and eyebrows’ into the Google search engine. I was surprised at the number of sites that appeared on the screen. I soon found out that I had ‘trichotillomania’, a condition which involves pulling out hair from the scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows, etc. I found one site particularly helpful and joined as a member. I went on the site every day and chatted and posted messages. It was the first time I felt understood. I’ve made some great friends though the site and have had the privilege of meeting many of them in person. We’re all tied together by the trich thread but trich is only a part of our lives. We can be defined by so much more than just this one thing. We’re students, mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, brothers and sisters. We are people and people are multifaceted.

Over the years I’ve tried counselling, hypnotherapy, neuro-linguistic programming and online therapy. I would love to be able to write that I’m pull-free now but unfortunately I can’t. A couple of years ago this would have hurt so much. Now it doesn’t hurt as much. Physically I’m pulling the same amount of hair as I did four years ago. Psychologically I feel completely different; different in a good way. I no longer feel ashamed. I no longer feel frightened at the thought of people noticing my eyes. I no longer feel the need to hide behind my glasses. I can confidently wear contact lenses and can go to the opticians. And perhaps most importantly I can confidently inform people that I have a condition called trichotillomania.

I’m not 100% happy with myself. I feel depressed at times and wish I was more sociable and independent. Becoming pull-free is still very important to me but important in a different kind of way. It’s the icing on the cake now rather than the cake itself. How did I get to this point? My family’s continuous support has obviously been an important factor but I strongly believe that finding the site was the start of the journey that makes me to the person I am today.

Alpa (Sweet)

trichotillomania case histories

living with trichotillomania

Read about some of our members and how they 

have grown to manage, and in many cases, 

overcome, hair pulling.

Recovery Expert

Recovery Expert

One pull or pick free coach, for the whole of your time with us. Minimum specialist trichotilllomania recovery ten years.

Share This Post:

Accounts of people with trichotillomania

The BFRB blogs and experiences described in this section may be disturbing so don’t read on unless you’re sure you are up to it.

how can I stop pulling my hair out

Adam Alpa Anna
Anne Angela Annette
Athena Caillin Caroline
Carrie Cathy Christine
Clarkie Cleo Donna
Ellen Faith H
Holly Iris Jan
Jane Jason Jayne
Jess Jo Joanna
Joanne Kat Kati
Kristina Krystal Laura
Lisa Lisa W Louise
Lucy Mairen Mike
Neil – OCD Patience
Robin Sandy Sara
Shannon Terri Tracey
Your story goes here    

We also want to hear from you : Submit your own story soon.

We are particularly interested in success stories, and there are very many people on the site who have achieved long-term freedom from pulling.