No eyebrows

Angelic_Victory

Veteran Member

Joined : Sep 2012

Posts : 2138

Posted 9/24/2016 10:16 AM (GMT -6)

Since high school I have pulled out eyelashes and eyebrows when stressed. I've managed it ok until recently. I'm not even sure what exactly is stressing me so much but I keep catching myself doing it to the point where I have no eyebrows. How do I stop this? It's embarrassing.

Blu's Mama

Veteran Member

Joined : Nov 2014

Posts : 1306

Posted 9/24/2016 10:28 AM (GMT -6)

Hi AV,

While I haven't experienced this personally, I've had friends that have found the 'rubber band technique' or having a 'fidget cube' (maybe a free flowing light switch, something you can click back and forth), extremely helpful. It helps with the impulsivity-- any time you feel the urge to pull, you snap a rubber band, or click something.

Hope this helps a little bit!

Hibee

Forum Moderator

Joined : Oct 2008

Posts : 7578

Posted 9/24/2016 11:06 AM (GMT -6)

Hi

I agree with Blu the rubber band technique is the best way to deal with compulsions like the one you have described.

Hibee

I try not to worry about the future -- so I take each day just one anxiety attack at a time.

ANXIETY & PANIC FORUM MODERATOR

Diagnosed with:- Asperger's Syndrome, Dyslexia, GAD, Social Anxiety Disorder, Health Anxiety, OCD, Depression and Scheuermann's Disease (Adult)

Medications:- 60mg Prozac, 30mg Mirtazapine , Olanzapine 2.5mg, Dihydrocodeine 180mg per day

Scaredy Cat

Forum Moderator

Joined : Sep 2006

Posts : 28669

Posted 9/24/2016 5:29 PM (GMT 0)

Hi AV,

This is not as uncommon as one might think...and it actually within the OCD spectrum of anxiety. (skin picking is a similar manifestation)

Here is a link that gives more information, including treatment options.:)

www.mentalhealthamerica.net/conditions/trichotillomania-hair-pulling

Getting the help you need, and working proactively to turn the behavior around will be worth the effort!

Best wishes, and keep us updated on your progress!

S.C.

Moderator:Anxiety/Panic

"Courage is not the abscence of fear, it is feeling afraid and doing it anyway!"

"Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its troubles...it empties today of its strength."
Corrie Ten Boom

Panic Syndrome recovery due to CBT

Angelic_Victory

Veteran Member

Joined : Sep 2012

Posts : 2138

Posted 9/24/2016 12:17 PM (GMT -6)

I do the skin picking, too. I have done therapy in the past. Unfortunately, only one clinic takes my insurance in my town and they won't see me because I missed an appointment.

I actually had this managed for quite a while. I used therapy and a stress ball. Now I'm doing it in my sleep. I wake up pulling at my eyebrows or with bleeding scabs. I don't remember ever doing it in my sleep before.

Nail patella syndrome, osteoarthritis, complex migraines, eosinophilic esophagitis, major depressive disorder, OCD, and fibromyalgia, IBS, gastroparesis

Scaredy Cat

Forum Moderator

Joined : Sep 2006

Posts : 28669

Posted 9/24/2016 1:26 PM (GMT -6)

AV,

If you'd like, I can look and see if there's any self help links available online for this issue...

S.C.

Angelic_Victory

Veteran Member

Joined : Sep 2012

Posts : 2138

Posted 9/24/2016 1:46 PM (GMT -6)

Any help would be great. Drawn on eyebrows just aren't cutting it. Lol

Nail patella syndrome, osteoarthritis, complex migraines, eosinophilic esophagitis, major depressive disorder, OCD, and fibromyalgia, IBS, gastroparesis

supapfunk

Veteran Member

Joined : Sep 2016

Posts : 534

Posted 9/24/2016 2:06 PM (GMT -6)

Angelic - if the therapy clinic wont see you, I'd go back to your primary care doctor. Let them know of your symptoms and how you're feeling and what's happening. They may have a treatment path for you, or be able to make a call to the clinic on your behalf to get you back in to the therapy clinic.

PSchawl

Regular Member

Joined : Sep 2016

Posts : 24

Posted 9/24/2016 2:25 PM (GMT -6)

There's a hand-held stress reliever made by a company called Tangle and they make one that has little rubbery "hairs" all over it. It's something that can be twisted, pulled on, and shaped. I have one but with a different texture and it has really helped to relieve my stress and anxiety a lot. Much more effective than a stress ball, in my opinion. And it's more fun.

Amazon sells them and it's called a "Tangle Hairy" or a "Tangle Hairy Jr". They come in two sizes.

Scaredy Cat

Forum Moderator

Joined : Sep 2006

Posts : 28669

Posted 9/24/2016 2:48 PM (GMT -6)

Here you go. :)

/www.bfrb.org/learn-about-bfrbs/treatment/self-help/115-help-yourself-a-self-help-program-to-managing-trichotillomania

cognitive-behavior-therapy.com/trichotillomania/

/www.amazon.com/Help-Hair-Pullers-Understanding-Trichotillomania/dp/1572242329

S.C.

Post Edited (Scaredy Cat) : 9/24/2016 2:53:42 PM (GMT-6)

Angelic_Victory

Veteran Member

Joined : Sep 2012

Posts : 2138

Posted 9/24/2016 9:21 PM (GMT -6)

Thank you. I'm going to make an appointment with my dr on Monday. I missed my nephew's birthday today because of the eyebrow thing and just anxiety about going anywhere. I don't know how I slipped back into this.

Nail patella syndrome, osteoarthritis, complex migraines, eosinophilic esophagitis, major depressive disorder, OCD, and fibromyalgia, IBS, gastroparesis

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