BellaOnline Forums Beauty and Self Hair A confession, and a reperm

I'm thinking about reperming my hair soon since the warm weather has been gone for a while here now. But I'm afraid to do it again since it's only been more then 3 months ago.

Also, I wanted to share this with you after waiting a long time and being on this forum for quite a bit: I suffer from a mild form of TTM. I started with the habit when I was studying exams in high-school and it never went away afterwards. It's mostly the left side, directly at the front. Some girls comb their hair with their fingers when the front lock falls before their eyes. I do this as well, but I can't stop. The result is almost visible hair loss in one spot. I'm afraid I won't get it back to normal.
I'm sorry, I have to stop.

What does TTM mean? From your description, I think I know what you mean but is there a technical term?

About the warm weather being gone, Where are you? Hot weather doesn't show any signs of leaving us around here!

3 months is long enough between perms if the hairdresser prepares your hair in advance with good conditioners and reconstructors.

TTM = trichotelomany, obsessive hair plucking. Only a light form, but I've been suffering from it for years with mild success of stopping it. I'm starting to see a bald spot develop and I'm really worried it won't grow back in case I can stop doing it. It's hard to write this all down, but it explains why I colored and permed my hair, just to make it looks less obvious I was doing it and as an "incentive" to quit doing this. All those things didn't work.

I see. Thank you for explaining it. I'll keep you in my thoughts and pray that you can beat it.

Thanks Lynne.

Hi Isa,

Has a doctor ever suggested Zoloft, it's an antidepressant
and also helps with OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder).
If the doctor you're seeing doesn't help you see another one.

Take care

Thanks for the suggestion Geri. I think Zoloft is a known anti-depressant, I've heard about it before. I'll check with the doctor first thing Monday morning for a blood analysis and ask about this medication.

I make custom wigs for a living and have seen alot of TTM in my 12 years of experience I have never seen anyone stop plucking. They do however decrease the amount of freguency. I woud not turn to drugs for this problem. You need a professional therapist. Hypnosis, yoga and meditaton are quite helpful as well. Most people with TTM begin pulling in one spot and when there is nothing left they move along. I have seen moderate and sever cases and even the moderate pullers become more severe when emotions are high. This is a very common condition and you should not be ashamed.

I could stop it for a while and thought I was really over it, but basically, one sweep in the hair can be enough to start all over again. I'm just worried that it's going to become very visible and that it won't grow back.

Isa, I'm so sorry to here that you struggle with this. I hope you know that there are lots of people here who are wanting only the best for you.