Dealing with Trichotillomania and Unsolicited Comments from Friends

This is so relatable for me I just want to hug you. This is like exactly what I went through when it started for me. It was when I was 13. I pulled out all my eyelashes and didn't know what to tell people. But you're doing amazing, I was never able to get them back! Feel free to message me and we can be friends. I hate when people drew attention to it, and I hated that I felt so embarrassed all the time. I'm sorry your mom didn't respond well when you tried to confide in her. People just don't understand, and it's impossible to explain. Reach out if you ever want to talk! Also I'd recommend trying probiotics. It helped reduce the impulse to pull my hair. It also made my nail biting completely go away, and I've always bit my nails.

i grew out of my eyelash pulling but pulling and picking at hair never went away. i dont get why there’s an innate shame in this, like no one said it was weird but people tell themselves that. don’t tell people who don’t deserve to know, you make that decision and never be pressured

im an eyelash puller too, since 2014 i think? somewhere around there. ive always “hid” it too even though its fairly apparent since my eyes are completely bare. i just tell people i just “have a condition” but dont say what, so they wont be rude about it, since its pretty jarring to hear someone say oh yeah i rip them out Lol. any attempt to tell people about my trich i just get a weird look, so i just say the condition thing now. im sorry people are so crappy about it, its none of their business except yours. they suck. im still an avid puller, but i try to avoid eye touching by putting lotion on my hands or cutting my nails short so i cant grip them. i also try to keep my hands occupied with DIY fidgets (i attached pony beads to some keychains, and attached them all together for noise & finger fidgets) since store bought ones dont really do it for me. i hope you will overcome it, or find ways to cope! and ignore the people who are intrusive like that 🙏

i also have tritch and it's very embarrassing and difficult at times, the thing that has helped me the most is to find other ways to stimulate myself. try doing something else with your hands. for me making art helps a lot because it's really fulfilling, and making friendship bracelets with embroidery thread can kind of give the same pulling sensation. I'm here if you ever need to talk, you arent alone ! I'm sorry so many people have put you down for this when it is a sickness just like any physical illness out there. they just don't understand it and are probably projecting their own insecurities. try to surround yourself with people who care about u and understand you, you deserve to be uplifted!