Being a Teenager with Trichotillomania

It's easy to feel like you're the only one in the world who does this, but the most common age for Trich to start is 12 years old; so there are lots of teenagers out there who have the same problem. You can talk to other teens with trich on our teens forum and you can sign up for a buddy of a similar age too.

Being a teenager is difficult anyay, but teens with trichotillomania face deeper problems than most ... there is often nothing worse than school days, when you're actively pulling. Growing up can be scary at the best of times, you feel out of control of the speed at which things are changing, but when your own behavior is also outside of your own control, it is terrifying. Many teenagers with Trichotillomania suffer from depression at some time or another and it can be terribly hard to climb out. Pulling can be used as a way to escape from negative feelings or negative situations, but it only makes you feel worse afterwards when you return to reality and realise the damage.

You can learn more positive ways to cope, and ways to beat hair pulling urges.

Get out of the house as much as you can, reduce your sugar intake, talk to someone about your feelings or write a diary or online journal. Trichnotherapy is very effective for many teenagers and may be the option for you if you need some extra support to stop pulling.