Confessions of a Trichster

uhhh sorry for the wordiness i guess but i want to get awareness up on a chronic behavior that isn’t very well known!! and i haven’t seen anything for bfrb week on my dash at all so

Common Types of BFRBs

Hair-Pulling Disorder (Trichotillomania/ Trich/ TTM) – The compulsive urge to pull out hair from various parts of the body resulting in noticeable hair loss. Areas where pulling usually occur include scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows, arms, legs, and pubic area.

Skin-Picking Disorder (Dermatillomania/Excoriation Disorder/ Derm) – The compulsive urge to pick at one’s skin resulting in noticeable damage (sores, scabs, infections). Common areas include: face, head, cuticles, back, arms and legs, hands and feet.

Trichophagia – Coinciding with Trichotillomania, Trichophagia is the compulsive urge to eat or ingest the hair that has been pulled. In extreme cases, this can lead to a hair ball called a trichobezoar, which can cause significant health problems. Removal of the hair ball is usually done through surgery.

Onychophagia – Compulsive nail/cuticle biting. The severity and extent of damage to the skin is variable, but can lead to infections, pain in the fingers and torn skin around the fingernails. Some signs include short nails, skin damage around nails, bleeding skin around nails, callouses.

Rhinotillexomania – Compulsive nose picking. Not to be confused with people picking thier nose from time to time for strictly hygienic purposes. Compulsive nose picking causes a greater risk of infection/damage to the lining of the nose.

Other BFRBs include:

Trichotemnomania (compulsive hair cutting/shaving)

Dermatophagia (compulsive skin biting ie. around nails, lips & inside of cheeks)

Body-focused repetitive behaviors like trichotillomania, dermatillomania, & onychophagia are common, affect people all over the world, and cause horrible feelings of isolation and shame. While research to find better treatments is underway, we CAN end the isolation and shame by raising awareness of these disorders. You can help by sharing this video. The BFRB community has come together to say, “#SeeMeStand for BFRBs.” #BFRBweek2017. Learn more about BFRBs, find resources for hope and recovery @ bfrb.org.

bruised fingers from trying to pick

“i’m gonna let my brows grow out” *picks*

shaving most things (brows, hair, etc) to hide the fact that you pick

that /one/ hair that’s so rewarding when you finally get it

“i’m gonna cut my nails so i don’t pick”

just for some babes who may find them useful

1) This shit

Self-adhesive medical tape is one of my new favorite things. I wrap it around the tips of my fingers like a thimble type deal. It doesn’t stick to your skin but stays on your fingers; you can type with it on, and it’s imfuckingpossible to pick while wearing it. You can get a buttload for $12 on amazon here.

2) These fuckers

Look dumb? Heck yeah they do. I use them for mirrors, ‘cause we all know how tricky those are. They occupy both your hands, you can twist them into shapes like the 5-year-old you are, and if both your hands are playing with it, they aren’t skimming your face. You can buy three for $10 here.

3) Whatever the fuck these are

don’t even know what to call them tbh; my therapist gave them to me and I use them while at the computer. You roll them around on your fingers and the spikes sting ever so slightly so be careful if you regularly pick your fingers, but the sensation replaces the sensation you might expect from picking and keeps you aware of your hands so they don’t stray to your skin like the sneaky fuckers they are. You can get a pack of ten for $10 here.

Am I just used to it? Has my scalp become desensitised to pain? Or have I just perfected the technique to pull out hair with the least amount of pain?