Hair Pulling I think There IS a problem

[bridgette]

My friend is pulling out her hair all the time.  She actually has a receding hairline from this.  She doesn't think she has emotional problems.  I disagree, but I don't know what to say to her.

[SWM]

What your describing is a form of self harm. There are many forms of self harm including cutting or burning the skin. This hair pulling is similar form of self injury. When your friend pulls hair hair she is inflicting pain on herself. Whatever her reasons are, who can say why people self harm, she has found this gives her some kind of release from her emotional state. When somebody self injures in this way they can become addicted to the feeling of pain.

[chatobstewart]

Trichotillomania (trik-o-til-o-MAY-ne-uh) or trich or pulling from what i've read about it is not a self harm issue but I think it is classified as a type of impulse control disorder that can find some success with behavior therapy.  I know I deal with it, with my eye lashes...  Still it is not a good habit, and it may be covering a deeper issue like depression or anxiety. 

[SWM]

thats interesting, so it is not a form of self harm then. or can it be used as a form of self harm also.

i heard today about an individual who has been using velcro from their shoes to self-harm and rubbing their face on the carpet to burn their self. 

i still cannot get my heard around why this urge to self harm is so strong that people will do these crazy things too cause themselves pain

[Shell]

In the form of self harm, people who self inflict usually do this to take their minds off of another pain (emotional or mental).  Self infliction releases endorphins, which will temporarily ease stress or anxiety.  Self harm is kind of like a drug - a bandaid to a deeper pain that doesn't just go away.

There are lots of stuff to read about self infliction.  I'm just a bit sleepy right now and am too lazy to go hunt for resources.