Posted by katie on April 22, 1999, at 22:55:51
I actually never knew there was a name for this. I'm rather embaressed to admit this, but I started doing the hair pulling as a child around age 12. First I started beating my head up with a brush to gain my mother's attention. When that didn't work I yanked my hair out in clumps. My step mother was shocked to see the amount of hair loss about a year and a half later while she was curling what hair was left. I was immediatly taken to see a dermatologist and I got the "attention" I needed (supposedly) and I was temporaraly cured. I still sneak a "stray" every now and then. Every time I even think about it I reprimand myself mentally even while that strand is about to be pulled. I have been able to go for years without ever laying a mean finger on my head. For some reason though (maybe a compusive behavior) I sometimes revert to destructive habits. Just talking about this is a relief....
poster:katie
thread:5192
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990401/msgs/5192.html