Janice started eyelash pulling at 14

Ignored the condition for 15 years

I just came across your website. It is the 1st time I’ve done a search.

The only other time I’d even heard of Trichotillomania. was in a hair salon – reading some women’s magazine with the description of the disorder and treatment at Mass General Hospital (in Boston, Massachusetts, USA).

I didn’t do a thing about this and that was about 15 years ago. I’m 49 and have been pulling my eyelashes out since I was in 8th grade (14, I think). It was in a social studies class and I remember pulling a few eyelashes out and there was a big gap in the very middle of the eyelash. My best friend at the time gasped when she saw it. I was pretty upset about it myself and (I think) used a black pen to color in the gap.

Since that time I have always had an eyeliner with me – at home, in the car, etc. It has been a relentless battle for me. I used to bite my nails mercilessly, even to the point of rubbing a hole in the middle of the finger nail – as well as rubbing out the hair in the back of my head at the base. I’ve also been bald on my eyebrows.

It was a shock to me when my stepdaughter a few years back noticed my pulling – my husband noticed as well. I thought that I had hidden this habit. So foolish really, because if I really look at myself in the mirror I can well see the gaps in my lashes.

In any case, backing off caffeine has helped – and I try to restrain my sugar cravings. This time of year is particularly difficult for me as the sunshine gets weaker. I have 2 full spectrum lamps and will probably get more – one for work, etc.

Anyway, I have conquered my nail biting by (1st) getting acrylic nails applied then, after 2 years, letting them grow out and get regular manicures. I feel great about this milestone. I want to be pull free before the end of my days, so to speak! Don’t want to go to the grave with this humiliating and controlling habit.

Thanks for this website. I’ll bookmark it and read your suggestion pages.

Janice

Cumberland, RI – USA