What is Trichotillomania (hair pulling disorder) & how do we deal with it?

I'm Kati Morton, a licensed therapist making Mental Health videos!
#katimorton #therapist #therapy

MY BOOKS (in stores now)

ONLINE THERAPY

Join this channel to get access to perks:

YOU CAN SUPPORT THE CHANNEL BY SHOPPING WITH OUR AFFILIATE LINKS

PARTNERSHIP

PLEASE READ
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call a local emergency telephone number or go immediately to the nearest emergency room.

[ayushirastogi]

I don't even feel the pain while plucking my hairs

[michaeladulcie]

The worst part is the guilt and anxiety about coming out about it

[HayleyRobinsonhale]

I don't think people realise how irritating and embarrassing it is when people say "stop pulling your hair out". It's like do you honestly think if I could stop I would keep pulling it out? I hate it when my friend will point it out in front of other people it just makes it so much worse x

[chaselost]

I use to think I was the only person to do this lmao.

[kuroosoyaoya]

i'm pulling my hair while watching this

[kuroosoyaoya]

i used to have VERY thick hair and now it's so thin and literally i regret having this but i can't stop 😔

[heyyy]

I’ve never related to a comment session so fast

[GreenSunshine]

In my case I do notice some stress relief after pulling, but I also feel guilty and bad about it afterwords.
My question is, is it possible that my trichotillomania is not trauma-related? I think I wouldn't be able to identify any traumas or bad experiences relating to it, because I just do it all the time, when I am bored, it's just like when I fiddle about with my hair or with anything. But I am not sure if that's possible, and if it is, I would like to know which one would be the correct approach for fixing it.

[tinvideodiary]

I usually do this when I’m studying for my upcoming exam 😫 It just feels so staisfying

[edgyerica]

what about pulling apart split ends? i can honestly sit for hours and break my hair and pull it apart when i’m bored, anxious, or stressed

[blu]

To all the people that have trichotillomania, you can get through it. I’m 13 years old and started pulling out my hair when i was 7, all my eyebrows and eyelashes were gone and i had a massive bold spot on my head. I started going to a therapist when i was 10 and it’s gotten so much better and all my hair has now grown back. I really hope whoever is reading this and is going through a hard time with this disorder, you can get through it and it will get better, don’t give up! good luck and stay safe everyone xx

[seannash]

Im 13 years old and I have this disorder. It's literally the worst the thing thats ever happened to me. I have a bald spot on my head and i often get made fun of for it. I'm so glad there is video that is easy to understand and someone who can explain it to me! Thank you Katie!

[donnysofree]

I'm a boy and do it but I feel really weird because all of the other comments are girls so is this normal for guys?

[ipek]

I have nobody to talk to.
And my parents aren't supportive.

I don't know what to do

[riyagandhi]

it’s so frustrating :( ppl say to stop and they act like i purposely do it. i want to stop as much as they want me to, i just can’t.

[TheMusicGod]

Me pulling my hair out while watching this

[mar.]

Hi, I just want to say that when I was in fith through sixth grade, I had Trichotillomania. After endless nights and hours of pulling out my hair, my mom noticed my bald spots and took me to a therapist. I am now officially free of this condition by two years! 😄 I do occasionally get urges, but I know how to cope with them. I just tell myself no, I put my hand down, and I stop. It's really hard to do at first, but over time it gets easier and easier to the point all I have to do is dismiss the idea. I promise that it gets better, and it IS POSSIBLE to be free! Love you 😘💕

[alishacollins]

I'm soo glad I'm not the only one, I'm a black girl and I've been pulling out my hair since i was like 5 or 7 and first everyone thought it was just a habit I'd grow out of with age. But it never stopped. Sometimes i do it without knowing like when im focused and others whem I'm stressed like i have this urge just to start pulling and twisting my curly hair and the satisfaction and relief when i pull it out. But i then realise how bad it is when i see the amount of hair that came out. But i just can't stop even with braids it's soo hard to resist taking them out it's like an insane addiction.

[utopiaria]

I wish trich. was more talked about and more awareness was given about it since it impacts so many people but isn’t as talked about

[alexpryse]

i pull my eyelashes during school quizzes and tests