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Tina P.
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| Posted: July 27 2009 at 11:17pm | IP Logged
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My 13 yod plucked her eyebrows clean off and now the bottom rim of her lashes. She went around in public wearing eyebrow pencil for a long time until the eyebrows grew back. Then, I noticed patchy eyebrows again which she filled in with pencil and just tonight I noticed the bottom rims of her eyes are naked.
When she was tiny, I gave her a stuffed bear. It turned out to be her favorite, but she plucked huge, ugly patches off that bear. Now she's turned the plucking on herself. At first I thought it was a childish thing she would grow out of. After the first eyebrow incident, I thought that perhaps she had been through a stressful time and that it would pass. But she's doing this repeatedly and when I talk to her about it, she says she doesn't even know she's doing it until it's too late.
Short of keeping her under constant surveillance, what can I do to help her break out of this nasty habit?
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folklaur
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| Posted: July 28 2009 at 12:07am | IP Logged
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it sounds very possible that your daughter has trichotillomania - a close friend's daughter had this.
it isn't really a "habit" - it is a type of impulse disorder. the fact that she isn't even aware she is doing it can really be indicative of trich.
here's one link
but you can google and find out a lot...
hth
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Angie Mc
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| Posted: July 28 2009 at 9:26am | IP Logged
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Tina, you can try home measures by keeping a daily log of when she does this, under what circumstances, triggers, etc. to look for patterns. Then you can try to substitute another habit of the hand - to keep her hands busy during times when she is likely to pull. For example, if she pulls while watching television, she can squeeze a stress ball instead.
If home measures are proving inadequate or you want support and another set of eyes on the issue, you may want to contact a psychologist who specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy.
Praying for your dd and for you, Tina .
Love,
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Tina P.
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| Posted: Aug 19 2009 at 10:08pm | IP Logged
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cactus mouse wrote:
it sounds very possible that your daughter has trichotillomania - a close friend's daughter had this.
here's one link
but you can google and find out a lot...
hth
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Thanks, Laura. We looked up the site you posted together. We're going to talk with our regular doctor about this Friday. If he can't do anything, perhaps he can at least refer us to someone who can. She's so frustrated! She doesn't want to talk with anyone about it. Thinks it's embarrassing. But I think she's ready after having read that article.
She was concerned that by admitting she had a condition whereby she needed to talk to a psychologist, she was going to be considered "slow."
Prayers would be much appreciated as we prepare ourselves for this trial.
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folklaur
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Tina P. wrote:
Prayers would be much appreciated as we prepare ourselves for this trial. |
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hugs and prayers being sent for all.
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missionfamily
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Prayers Tina...
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Colleen
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MaryM
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Praying for her and for you, too.
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Vanna
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| Posted: Aug 24 2009 at 9:19am | IP Logged
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Please do seek help about this. Do not assume that it will go away. My friend's sister has tricho. She would pull out her hair. By the time she was in high school she was completely bald. She is now 27 years old and still struggles with this. They never got her professional help. I guess they thought that she would outgrow it or be able to control it if she tried. I think if she would have had professional help when this started, she would still be dealing with it now.
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Tina P.
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| Posted: Aug 24 2009 at 11:22am | IP Logged
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Well, the doctor ruled out trichotillomania. There's no depression, anxiety, or anger. He said counseling wouldn't help in my daughter's situation. It's a compulsion, he told me, and has her on Zoloft to curb her impulses. She has to stay on the meds for 6 months. I usually like more homeopathreic remedies, but we really trust this doctor. Thank you all for your concern and prayers.
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Karen T
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That seems a little odd to me, to say that it's NOT trichotillomania but it is a compulsion. My understanding is that trichotillomania IS a compulsive disorder, not caused by anxiety, depression or anger, although those things can be present along with it or because of it.
Maybe I misunderstood what you wrote; I'm just asking b/c I know someone with this problem also.
Karen T
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julia s.
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Tina,
I know I'm piping in kind of late, but I just wanted to reassure you that it will probably work out even if it takes awhile. I had a friend while in elementary and middle school who did this with her eyelashes -- she was going through a rough time and she did eventually stop her habit. Her eyelashes grew back in thick and beautiful and you'd never know she would pull them out.
I'll keep your daughter in my prayers.
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: Please help me understand my 13 yod
