My son started pulling out his hair :/

[iamali]

A few weeks ago.

He has a noticeably large bald spot on the back of his head. It's the size of a silver dollar.  I was afraid it was a reaction to some new meds he's on, but we've stopped them and he keeps doing it. Since it's not an emergency we can't get him in with his psychiatrist until a few weeks.

I hurt for him. His anxiety must be crippling for him and it breaks my heart.


Selfishly, trying to deal with this and the stress of dealing with my mother dying have me at my breaking point. 

[Deleted]

My brother did this when he was 12-16 or so too. I'm sorry youve got so much on your plate right now

[anlo]

(((Hugs)))

[auntie]

I'm sorry.

Do you think it's trichotillomania? I might call his psychiatrist and see whether they think it's an emergency of not. Depending on your child's issues, they may want to see him asap.

There's a lot of stigma and shame associated with this. Some meds can help. I have two nieces who have milder presentations. The older one sometimes puts her hair up in order to act as a reminder not to pull- she sort of does it mindlessly when she's anxious. She recently started an SSRI for other issues which has helped this a lot.

One of my friends has a son who also pulls his hair. Wearing a hat at home seems to help redirect him. He also had his hair cut too short to grip easily as well. Unfortunately, he took to picking his skin and eyelashes instead.

[gretchenindisguise]

Oh I'm so sorry iamali. That is so much for you to be coping with all at the same time.

Potentially needing new meds isn't emergency enough for your psychiatrist? Is he seeing a counselor?

[cville]

Oh no, poor guy. It must be awful not to know how to help him. Be good to yourself.

[jenny1223]

I'm sorry. That must be so hard. I'd try to push for a sooner appointment if you can.

[autumnfire]

Big hugs. My husband has trichotillo but he only picks at his chin. Certain things have helped him navigate his stress/anxiety with the help of a therapist. I'm so sorry you and he are going through this. I hope you're able to find a way to manage his picking urges.

I would be on the look out for eating of the hair as well. Not all trichotillo involves picking and eating of the hair but in some cases it does happen and that can cause internal problems.

I haven't admitted this to really anyone, besides my husband who knows. But I used to have Trichophagia (pulling and eating of hair). I've been able to stop the eating through help and the picking isn't any where close to what it used to be.

Again so many hugs to you

[sharknado]

As a parent I would feel this is emergent

[justkeepswimming]

I have a (5th grade) student this year who started pulling out her hair. We made her a bunch of very small (6x6 and 8x8 inches) fleece tie "blankets". Pulling on the ties and knots mimics the hair pulling for her and helps a lot. This doesn't take care of the underlying anxiety, but might help as a temporary option.

[iamali]

Jan 27, 2015 18:15:24 GMT -5 justkeepswimming said:

I have a (5th grade) student this year who started pulling out her hair. We made her a bunch of very small (6x6 and 8x8 inches) fleece tie "blankets". Pulling on the ties and knots mimics the hair pulling for her and helps a lot. This doesn't take care of the underlying anxiety, but might help as a temporary option.

Thank you for this. I think I'll try it. My son is in 5th grade as well.

[Deleted]

Oh I am so sorry Ali. My heart breaks for you. How hard that must be for him and you.

Huge hugs. I wish I could hug you!

[meganew]

I have no advice, but I wanted to say that I'm thinking of you and your family.