Join a Community That Understands You

Get answers from those who share your health journey

Left Image 1Middle Image 1Right Image 1
avatar

Tiyanna

Updated 1y ago

How to stop hair pulling when anxious?

I tend to play in my hair ALOT whenever I'm anxious,and it's causing it to come out as a result. Does anyone else have this problem? or have any suggestions on how to distract or just stop myself from continuing to do it anymore? My hair is okay whenever it's braided down, but unfortunately I haven't been able to get it done at the moment. I mean I wear a wig,but just sitting around the house infront of my husband with my short hair is causing me to have low self esteem.

Can you help? Connect today

avatar

TxTiff

2y

Honestly, try a fidgit spinner/gadget. My (20 yr old) daughter wanted one and I got one for myself too, a small 2 rings connected with a spinner type joint. I leave it in my car and when traffic is bad I reach grab it and fiddle with it with my hand that's resting on my gearshift. They're not just for kids ;)
avatar

Tiyanna

2y

oh okay cool I'll try and see if I can find 1....does Walmart have them?
avatar

Sparkie

2y

I do not experience the same, however branching off of the other commenter something that works for me is a fidget cube, each side has a different function. There's buttons that make audible clicks that sound like a pen clicking, there's buttons that are silent, there's a rubber pad with little raised dots on it, there's a swivel stick that moves in a 360 and also clicks when pressed, and there's a little light switch thing (at least with mine). Maybe a certain texture or clicking action would help?
avatar

Tiyanna

2y

πŸ‘
avatar

NativeGypsy

2y

I'm terrible about fooling with my hair. I keep mine in a knot most times on top of my head in a clip. Makes my head sore but it keeps me from twisting on my hair. When I start to go after a strand. I'll start coloring. Sounds crazy but it works. It seems to calm me down a lot. πŸ€—
avatar

Tiyanna

2y

okay cool, glad I'm not the only person who does this
avatar

erkelgru

2y

I do this. I run my fingers through my hair over and over again and it gives me split ends and makes my hair fall out. It helps if I hold something in my hands, whether it be a pen while I'm at work or something like that.
avatar

DandelionFairy

2y

Sitting on my hands, wearing gloves, fidget stuff, playing with slime or playdough, holding a pen or Nintendo switch...etc.
avatar

Fox_Fay

2y

I've done that to the point of having to have my hair cut due to the knots and broken strands, but an old school counselor of mine helped by giving me an old stress toy. It's one of those rubber ones with a bunch of rubber strings coming off of it. I started playing with those instead. Nowadays, I find other things to occupy my hands. Mostly drawing and writing, because they're passions of mine.
avatar

Tiyanna

2y

that's awesome and I enjoy writing music that's my passion. It allows me to get out what's stressing me so.
avatar

pvnkg1rl75

2y

When I'm really anxious, I grab my hair and pull it over my nose and smell it. I know that sounds odd...but that's what I do. πŸ‘
avatar

Tiyanna

2y

oh wow
avatar

SweetiePea

2y

I twirl and pull, but the twirling is the fidget I focus on. So I will tie together some long pieces of yarn and untwist the strands to mimic hair. I get the twirl motion and resistance when I pull it out of the knot without damage to my hair ❀️
avatar

Tiyanna

2y

oh okay...that's that's good idea. πŸ€” maybe I should try that
avatar

Mop

2y

I do this as well, and I hate the feeling of having my hair up so I cant use that as a solution. I've found that little games on my phone or a sketchbook to doodle in instead does wonders.
avatar

NenFea

2y

Get a fidget ring!!! I bite my lips and pick at my skin and my fidget ring changed my life. You can get them cheap on amazon
avatar

pvnkg1rl75

2y

I have a fidget ring lol
avatar

Lightswitch

2y

Have you tried a Tangle? It's a fidget you can just mess with and tangle up in your hands kind of like you might twist and mess with hair. I really enjoy the Tangles and they make both smooth and textured ones
avatar

Tiyanna

2y

no I haven't this is actually my first time hearing about a fidget like this. Sound like a good one though. Do you know where I could possible find one like this at?
avatar

Lauren316

2y

I have trichtotyllimania (sp?) I tend to go after my eyelashes when I have mascara on and I have to ask people to tell me to stop. What's sick is I love my eyelashes!!! I feel ya
avatar

Hemi

2y

I have been keeping my hair up a lot because I do this. I run my fingers through it so much that the oil from my skin makes my hair look very oily. I keep it up a lot. I have also been messing with my finger nails lately. I have broken them and they look awful. I'm driving myself crazy.
avatar

Tiyanna

2y

aww I'm sorry

The content in this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

feed-footer-0

Free unlimited access

to all community content

feed-footer-1

Find others who are

medically similar to you

feed-footer-2

Pose questions and join

meaningful discussions

pp-logo

Alike is a transformative platform that goes beyond just bringing together patients; it meticulously connects individuals based on multiple critical factors, such as age, gender, comorbidities, medications, diet, and more, fostering a community of knowledge, support and empathy.

appStoreBtngooglePlayBtn

Β© 2020-2024 Alike, Inc