OCD Action

Georgie
Member

Hi, this is my first post here. Basically, my problem is that I pluck my eyebrows until I'm bleeding. Does anyone have any tips to help me get through this?

Kinda nervous about using this site, lol

Georgie

Mon Jun 27 2011 0:23:17 #
OC/DC
Member

Hi Georgie

Please don't be nervous - everyone is very nice here!

I suffer from Trichotillomania amongst other problems.
I pull hair from different parts of my body - eyebrows being one of them.
It can be most distressing when it's on the face as it can be visible to people.
I have received CBT on the NHS which has not cured me but has helped.
Probably the most useful advice is to replace plucking with something else, eg, hand clenching until the anxiety passes.

This website is quite helpful as it contains CBT resources and was recommended by my therapist:

http://www.getselfhelp.co.uk/

Please feel free to respond or PM if you need any further advice.
I will try and help.

Best of luck with it!

O

Mon Jun 27 2011 8:02:58 #
Ratwomble
Member

Georgie

Just wanted to say you don't need to worry about posting as everyone here is very friendly.

You might find that medication might help to reduce your compulsion. In any case I'd suggest you go to see your gp and get a diagnosis, and help.

Welcome

David

Mon Jun 27 2011 13:41:31 #
blueboy
Member

i have thick eyebrows, and when at high school thy teased me... now i kinda pluck out hairs from there...and eat.

Mon Jun 27 2011 13:44:20 #
Tess
Member

I eat mine too - filthy habit!!!

Mon Jun 27 2011 17:21:00 #
Georgie
Member

thanks guys
I have a diagnosis, and I had CBT when I was 16 with a nurse, he was a great help. I had CBT again about 2 years ago, but I also have Asperger Syndrome, which is alot more noticeable when I'm anxious. The therapist (strange guy...looked like John Coffey from the Green Mile, but had the softest voice ever) asked questions that I couldn't answer properly. He'd ask 'are you enjoying these sessions'. What kind of question is that?? Of course I'm not enjoying them! Do I think they're helping, yes, but I can't answer questions that havn't been asked. Ugh. Apparantly he said that I was unresponsive.

I do take medication for the OCD, I've taken it since I was about 14..It doesn't seem to help too much now though.

I bite my hair..I used to eat it. I find the root strange to look at, it feels wierd. I used to pull the hair out of my head..I looked like a monk. I had a huge bald patch at the top, and hair around the sides. I managed to stop that though, by using a calender. For every day I didn't pull a hair out (I could so it for hours at a time), I ticked the calender. I tried to do a whole day, then 2 days, I had relapses, but I've ticked every day for about 2 years now

Sorry for the long post, it feels good to talk about it though to people who have first hand understanding!

Georgie

Wed Jun 29 2011 17:01:54 #
Tess
Member

Hi Georgie
The calendar is a brilliant idea, thanks for telling us about it.

Wed Jun 29 2011 17:58:53 #
Georgie
Member

Fri Jul 1 2011 18:23:36 #
movingongirl
Member

Hiya

I pluck from my top lip (posted about it). The calendar seems a really good idea.

Wed Jul 27 2011 22:15:42 #