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Dear Friend,
I like to remove hair from parts of my body with tweezers. It is painful, but it also feels good once I am done. I know that it is not right, but I don’t know how to stop. It gets so bad sometimes that I spend close to an hour in the toilet plucking hair. Please help me.
Signed, Hair-Puller
Dear Hair-Puller,
It makes sense to be conflicted about your hair-pulling behaviour when it brings you both pain and satisfaction in a way. Acknowledging the problem is an important step towards managing it.
You may have a condition called trichotillomania. It is characterised by a strong urge to pull hair from various parts of the body. It may temporarily relieve stress or anxiety, but it often leads to guilt and shame afterwards. Here are some suggestions that may help.
Understand the effects on your health and well-being
All health conditions, including mental ones, must be taken seriously – and trichotillomania is no exception. If left unaddressed, it could lead to serious and long-lasting physical and psychological consequences.
For example, continuous hair pulling can result in significant hair loss, skin damage and noticeable changes in appearance. And the prolonged feelings of shame, embarrassment and failure from not resisting the urge can lead to low self-esteem, anxiety and even social withdrawal.
Early intervention and treatment are essential to manage the condition.
Get appropriate help
You need and deserve support. Tell a parent or a trusted adult how you feel and ask them to help you seek professional assistance. In terms of treatment, a professional can help you find the right option for this condition.
You can first visit a family doctor or general outpatient clinic and they can assess your needs and provide referrals to specialists if necessary. Alternatively, you may seek advice directly from a specialist, such as a private psychiatrist or clinical psychologist.
Remember, it’s important to be open with your parents and health professionals about your feelings. This will pave the way for management and recovery.
Practise self-care
Establish a healthy daily routine. It will become a solid foundation that will help you cope with your condition. Try to get proper sleep, eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly and spend quality time with friends and family. All of this will protect and promote your mental health.
Monitor your behaviour
Try to keep a record of your hair-picking. Note when and where you pull your hair. Try to identify what might be triggering your behaviour as well as any emotions or patterns. Making an effort to do this will help you understand your behaviour.
Additionally, sharing this information with a mental health professional can help them tailor a treatment plan that addresses your unique needs and triggers.
Things will get better, Friend of a Friend
For more information, here are some helpful links and numbers:
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Shall We Talk’s list of professional help options
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Dial 18111 for the government’s 24-hour mental health support hotline
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Dial 2466 7350 for the Hospital Authority’s mental health advisory service
This question was answered by clinical psychologists from Shall We Talk, a mental health initiative under the Department of Health launched with the Advisory Committee on Mental Health
