I hack at my hair when I get anxious, what can I do to stop?!
Question: When I get anxious I find myself in the bathroom with scissors, cutting my bangs. They've been getting progressively shorter, going from chin length layers mixed in the rest of my hair to angled bangs starting at the top of my nose and ending mid ear. They look really choppy and uneven, but I can't help it. It's like I go into autopilot mode and there's no abort button. What can I do to stop?
Answers: When I get anxious I find myself in the bathroom with scissors, cutting my bangs. They've been getting progressively shorter, going from chin length layers mixed in the rest of my hair to angled bangs starting at the top of my nose and ending mid ear. They look really choppy and uneven, but I can't help it. It's like I go into autopilot mode and there's no abort button. What can I do to stop?
It would appear to be related to hair pulling, (below) so I have included my posts on both: See anxiety treatments, at * ezy-build (below) in section 6. Set yourself a fixed limit for worrying about any particular subject, (say; 15 minutes) after which, resolve firmly to refuse to even consider that subject again on that day: realise and accept that to do otherwise would be counterproductive to your mental health, and enjoyment of life. Use the technique for reprogramming negative thoughts and internal monologue (self talk), on pages 2, and 2L, to help you in this, and consider carrying a wide rubber band in your pocket: put it on your wrist; stretch, and release, as a means of reinforcing it, and speeding up the process, re-pocketing it afterwards. Practise one of the relaxation methods on pages 2, 11, 2c, or 2i, daily, and when needed. Also, give the EFT version for use in public places, a good tryout, to see if it helps you (if you like, you can claim to have a headache, as you massage/lightly tap your temples) . Section 53, and pages 2, 2.q and 2.o at * http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris also refer. TRICHITILLOMANIA: Go to http://www.angelfire.com/mt/trichpages/g... and http://www.mental-health-abc.com/ and http://www.trich.org/teens_kids/ Support: http://dailystrength/support/ and Groups, at Myspace, Yahoo, and Google. Therapy may be required, if the above proves insufficient, after a few months (unlikely). You could always try trimming your pubic hair (if any) instead, because it won't show in public, while you learn the treatments.
This is an easy one.... Shave your head completely bald. By the time it all grows out again, you will have outgrown this maladaptive behavior. While you're waiting for your hair to grow back you can work on whatever underlying emotional cause is behind this behavior. If people tease you about your bald head, just tell them that you wanted to try something new and rebellious. Or, start a 'fashion', or demonstrate solidarity with cancer survivors, or whatever. PS: I often do the same behavior while trimming my beard, but am usually able to stop myself before I look too goofy.