Hair Loss Obession Drives Me Insane

[Dreamsdolive]

Hello everyone,

I am new to this forum and still need to find my way, so I hope I post it in the right section.

I am 27, female and I’ve been suffering already whole my life with anxiety issues.
Last spring (2016) I’ve had a lot of itchiness on my scalp and went to the dermatologist to let it checked. She said that I had some kind of hair root infection, since then I became really obsessed with my hair... I’ve been googling a lot, created a lot of anxiety.
I’ve read that you can lose up until 100 hairs a day, so I am really focused on that number.
Every day I am spending a lot of time sitting in my hair and going through it to see if I may lose strands or clumps ( I’ve created a fear for Telogen Efflivum or Alopecia ) so I am always convinced my hair is falling out because of something... this really makes me so tired and anxious and stressed, upset and so much more
I keep the amount of hair that I lose during the day in my phone notifications + when I wash I pick every hair out of the water and when I brush I count every single hair... The time between 2 washes is 3-5 days. I don’t always brush every day, but sometimes when I feel like I need to check my bangs or so I can comb it for a while... when hair comes off I am paranoid. And when I brush after washing I can spent 30 mins till 1 hour brushing... then I divide the amount of hairs between the days for example 3 and then I have for examples an average of 125 and then I get an anxiety attack Also I am so alert during brushing and I always put in my head that my hair is so weak that I am pulling everything out and creating alopecia... pfff I just can’t see it logically anymore. Am I losing my mind or my hair...

Thank you for reading <3
Much love

 

[Rudiger]

I am 27, female and I’ve been suffering already whole my life with anxiety issues.

Oh sh*t.

 

[Rudiger]

In all seriosity, when your derm said you have a root hair infection, did they say this would cause simple irritation or the actual cause of follicles dying and noticeable hair loss? If not, then you're being ridiculous.

Now, that was a year and a half ago, has there been any notable hair loss? Has the amount of hair you're losing daily increased? And this latter question if anything can be down to temporary hair loss because of the stress you're putting yourself through.

Women can lose a ridiculous amount of hair, they can malt and malt for months and you can't even tell the difference. Sometimes this is a serious sign of hair loss, most of the times not. Of course it's obvious you'll notice the amount of hair you're losing because you presumably have long hair, that just feels like it's everywhere.

I remember a time when I could rub my hand over my scalp for literally 5 seconds and an ambush of hair would fall on to the table in front of me (I think most here can relate, or having a build up of hair around the pillow/top of bed area). Thinking of those little diffuse hairs being a foot long is unimaginable.

Point being, I hope you've talked to your derm more about this, because so far it really sounds like BDD. Even possibly like you want this to be an issue for you as you have something to stress about/focus on.

 

[Dreamsdolive]

In all seriosity, when your derm said you have a root hair infection, did they say this would cause simple irritation or the actual cause of follicles dying and noticeable hair loss? If not, then you're being ridiculous.

Now, that was a year and a half ago, has there been any notable hair loss? Has the amount of hair you're losing daily increased? And this latter question if anything can be down to temporary hair loss because of the stress you're putting yourself through.

Women can lose a ridiculous amount of hair, they can malt and malt for months and you can't even tell the difference. Sometimes this is a serious sign of hair loss, most of the times not. Of course it's obvious you'll notice the amount of hair you're losing because you presumably have long hair, that just feels like it's everywhere.

I remember a time when I could rub my hand over my scalp for literally 5 seconds and an ambush of hair would fall on to the table in front of me (I think most here can relate, or having a build up of hair around the pillow/top of bed area). Thinking of those little diffuse hairs being a foot long is unimaginable.

Point being, I hope you've talked to your derm more about this, because so far it really sounds like BDD. Even possibly like you want this to be an issue for you as you have something to stress about/focus on.

Hey!
Thank you for taking your time to write an answer. I don’t really like that you call me ridiculous :/ It’s something I try to fight with, have a lot of stress going on in my life, besides the hair ocd.
Lately I have days I lose more then 100, but maybe the way how I am focussed on it increaces the high number?
Derma knows about, Doctor too. I was reading about BDD yesterday and can find myself in it.
The hair root infection I’ve had, she didn’t make a big deal from it. But says my stress gives me eczema and stuff..
I need to get rid of this,
That’s for sure,
Thank you for your answer.

 

[Rudiger]

Hey!
Thank you for taking your time to write an answer. I don’t really like that you call me ridiculous :/ It’s something I try to fight with, have a lot of stress going on in my life, besides the hair ocd.
Lately I have days I lose more then 100, but maybe the way how I am focussed on it increaces the high number?
Derma knows about, Doctor too. I was reading about BDD yesterday and can find myself in it.
The hair root infection I’ve had, she didn’t make a big deal from it. But says my stress gives me eczema and stuff..
I need to get rid of this,
That’s for sure,
Thank you for your answer.

Apart from counting hairs, is there noticeable hair loss? Because people can lose 100 hairs a day or even way more, and inexplicably keep growing more.

I'm wondering if your derm has said it's a consistent problem of hair loss or just an inflamed and itchy scalp.

I didn't call you ridiculous, yet. That depends on the following:

If you're counting hairs after being told you simply have an itchy scalp, then that would be ridiculous. Technically you are right to be on a hair loss forum because you are officially losing hair, but so is everyone else if you think 100 hairs a day is extreme. That's about average or a little bit above.

 

[Dreamsdolive]

Apart from counting hairs, is there noticeable hair loss? Because people can lose 100 hairs a day or even way more, and inexplicably keep growing more.

I'm wondering if your derm has said it's a consistent problem of hair loss or just an inflamed and itchy scalp.

I didn't call you ridiculous, yet. That depends on the following:

If you're counting hairs after being told you simply have an itchy scalp, then that would be ridiculous. Technically you are right to be on a hair loss forum because you are officially losing hair, but so is everyone else if you think 100 hairs a day is extreme. That's about average or a little bit above.

I go trough my hair a lot which gives me the feeling I lose a lot. Also the actions that I do brushing long for like half hour or hour, maybe it can affect also the higher number.
She said that I am too focused on my hair and stress can give a higher number. But I’ve been under stress for years and years so idk... She just did a pluck test 1,5 year ago and said I just had some inflammation and it can always come back from stress. It’s just I got really focused on my hair and some point and I can’t seperate reality vs Anxiety anymore. Cause I always think that I can create alopecia or so any time and I want to avoid that and keep in control by counting, brushing, etc...

 

[blackg]

In all seriosity, when your derm said you have a root hair infection, did they say this would cause simple irritation or the actual cause of follicles dying and noticeable hair loss? If not, then you're being ridiculous.

Now, that was a year and a half ago, has there been any notable hair loss? Has the amount of hair you're losing daily increased? And this latter question if anything can be down to temporary hair loss because of the stress you're putting yourself through.

Women can lose a ridiculous amount of hair, they can malt and malt for months and you can't even tell the difference. Sometimes this is a serious sign of hair loss, most of the times not. Of course it's obvious you'll notice the amount of hair you're losing because you presumably have long hair, that just feels like it's everywhere.

I remember a time when I could rub my hand over my scalp for literally 5 seconds and an ambush of hair would fall on to the table in front of me (I think most here can relate, or having a build up of hair around the pillow/top of bed area). Thinking of those little diffuse hairs being a foot long is unimaginable.

Point being, I hope you've talked to your derm more about this, because so far it really sounds like BDD. Even possibly like you want this to be an issue for you as you have something to stress about/focus on.

White Knight!

 

[Rudiger]

I go trough my hair a lot which gives me the feeling I lose a lot. Also the actions that I do brushing long for like half hour or hour, maybe it can affect also the higher number.
She said that I am too focused on my hair and stress can give a higher number. But I’ve been under stress for years and years so idk... She just did a pluck test 1,5 year ago and said I just had some inflammation and it can always come back from stress. It’s just I got really focused on my hair and some point and I can’t seperate reality vs Anxiety anymore. Cause I always think that I can create alopecia or so any time and I want to avoid that and keep in control by counting, brushing, etc...

I've got my answer, you are being ridiculous. And that's tough to tell someone who may have mental illness, but it's probably something that a lot of people think but do not want to say to you.

If you haven't got noticeable hair loss, and your derm hasn't confirmed you have visible hair loss, and you lose an average amount of hair a day, then you are being OCD about this (as you already said) and you're focusing on a problem that does not exist.

This obsession is possibly becoming an escape from other issues, but I am telling you now, strongly, this is not an issue. Please take your mind off of it. Take action and make a conscious effort to stop counting every hair, acknowledge in your mind when you don't, and accept this as a little "reward" for yourself, regardless of other obstructions.

If you are obsessive compulsive generally then this is a fixation and habit for you, which you need to learn how to break. One step at a time, because to me it sounds extreme. The next time you want to count hairs, don't. You will fail at doing this many times, but each time you refuse to do it, which will happen as well, that is progression, until you are no longer doing it at all (which seems un-imaginable right now I'm sure).

This forum is for people who can see their scalp truly exposed, I can see it under harsh light, many on here can see it all of the time because there's simply no hair at all there. I don't think you belong with that, you have hair and lose an average amount each day, you made a step in posting here in confronting that, I'm telling you, that this fixation is not an answer to your other problems.

 

[Dreamsdolive]

People who have a mental disorder are not ridiculous. I don’t think you really have not much respect for people who are having a hard time with themselves. It’s bloody serious...
Next to that, you are really good in giving information and aware of how things works, so that means you read about psychological stuff?

I’ve posted my story here cause I was googling and saw a few stories posted here about obsession. Everywhere you read on the internet you can lose until 100 or you have telogen efflivum and stuff and since my hair is important to me, I just try to control it. I tend to lose more but it’s hard to say if it’s just between my ears ( the focus and counting and brushing ) or that I am developing something.

If you brush hair too long or go a lot trough hair, can that increase the number? Curious about your information of that aspect.
You seem a really smart guy

Hugs from Belgium

I've got my answer, you are being ridiculous. And that's tough to tell someone who may have mental illness, but it's probably something that a lot of people think but do not want to say to you.

If you haven't got noticeable hair loss, and your derm hasn't confirmed you have visible hair loss, and you lose an average amount of hair a day, then you are being OCD about this (as you already said) and you're focusing on a problem that does not exist.

This obsession is possibly becoming an escape from other issues, but I am telling you now, strongly, this is not an issue. Please take your mind off of it. Take action and make a conscious effort to stop counting every hair, acknowledge in your mind when you don't, and accept this as a little "reward" for yourself, regardless of other obstructions.

If you are obsessive compulsive generally then this is a fixation and habit for you, which you need to learn how to break. One step at a time, because to me it sounds extreme. The next time you want to count hairs, don't. You will fail at doing this many times, but each time you refuse to do it, which will happen as well, that is progression, until you are no longer doing it at all (which seems un-imaginable right now I'm sure).

This forum is for people who can see their scalp truly exposed, I can see it under harsh light, many on here can see it all of the time because there's simply no hair at all there. I don't think you belong with that, you have hair and lose an average amount each day, you made a step in posting here in confronting that, I'm telling you, that this fixation is not an answer to your other problems.

 

[Rudiger]

People who have a mental disorder are not ridiculous. I don’t think you really have not much respect for people who are having a hard time with themselves. It’s bloody serious...
Next to that, you are really good in giving information and aware of how things works, so that means you read about psychological stuff?

I’ve posted my story here cause I was googling and saw a few stories posted here about obsession. Everywhere you read on the internet you can lose until 100 or you have telogen efflivum and stuff and since my hair is important to me, I just try to control it. I tend to lose more but it’s hard to say if it’s just between my ears ( the focus and counting and brushing ) or that I am developing something.

If you brush hair too long or go a lot trough hair, can that increase the number? Curious about your information of that aspect.
You seem a really smart guy

Hugs from Belgium

I've tried to kill myself many times, I know about mental illness, I know about being ridiculous. I've talked people out of such things.

Don't take it as an "attack" word, but as reality, and how to stabilise yourself.

 

[Dreamsdolive]

I've tried to kill myself many times, I know about mental illness, I know about being ridiculous. I've talked people out of such things.

Don't take it as an "attack" word, but as reality, and how to stabilise yourself.

You are not ridiculous at all. Stop saying that please about yourself. The thoughts and the over worrying about things can be absurd yes, but you as a person are not ridiculous.

 

[Rudiger]

You are not ridiculous at all. Stop saying that please about yourself. The thoughts and the over worrying about things can be absurd yes, but you as a person are not ridiculous.

I said "being" ridiculous as in, "acting" ridiculous. I appreciate your support and all but I no longer feel I am "acting" ridiculous. I was acting that way in a bad time in my life.

I feel you are acting this way now, and I hope you'll realise this later in life, and take steps to prevent this. I hope you re-read my posts and take a lot more of it in than just the small part about myself, because it was to apply to you.

 

[Dreamsdolive]

That’s good to hear. It’s a sign of strength. Ow I thought you’ve ment ridiculous as a person. I will surely do, thank you for the information. <3

I said "being" ridiculous as in, "acting" ridiculous. I appreciate your support and all but I no longer feel I am "acting" ridiculous. I was acting that way in a bad time in my life.

I feel you are acting this way now, and I hope you'll realise this later in life, and take steps to prevent this. I hope you re-read my posts and take a lot more of it in than just the small part about myself, because it was to apply to you.

 

[Rudiger]

That’s good to hear. It’s a sign of strength. Ow I thought you’ve ment ridiculous as a person. I will surely do, thank you for the information. <3

OK let's f***.

 

[Dontwannabeabetabob]

You won't get a shred of sympathy on these forums as you are a full-headed woman. REEEEEEEH!!!!!

 

[Dreamsdolive]

Hey everyone,
I am here again.
Yesterday I’ve washed and brushed and there was almost 5 days between 2 washes. I’ve had the feeling there was more coming off and when I’ve started brushing my left side I was really scared. It was really more then other times and I’ve had a panic attack... Now I am just really worried again and idk what to think or do.
I’ve had a blood check up last week and there came out that my vitamine D was low. The rest was okay... But I have a lot of stress from my relationship, my situation > I can’t barely function from anxiety issues. I also need to sleep a lot. I’ll attach a picture when I got really anxious when I saw this. This ONLY was from combing my LEFT side. I really don’t know what to think... it’s like the hair kept coming and also really long hairs...

Any advice?
Thank you

 

[JeanLucBB]

OK let's f***.

Sick bastard!

 

[bluemoon1212]

This is fucked. Go see a psychiatrist asap. None of the mongrels on this forum are qualified to address your mental unrest, especially in the impact section. Just stop posting and get some professional help.

 

[Dontwannabeabetabob]

Hey everyone,
I am here again.
Yesterday I’ve washed and brushed and there was almost 5 days between 2 washes. I’ve had the feeling there was more coming off and when I’ve started brushing my left side I was really scared. It was really more then other times and I’ve had a panic attack... Now I am just really worried again and idk what to think or do.
I’ve had a blood check up last week and there came out that my vitamine D was low. The rest was okay... But I have a lot of stress from my relationship, my situation > I can’t barely function from anxiety issues. I also need to sleep a lot. I’ll attach a picture when I got really anxious when I saw this. This ONLY was from combing my LEFT side. I really don’t know what to think... it’s like the hair kept coming and also really long hairs...

Any advice?
Thank you

Why are you posting pics of your pubes?

 

[Dreamsdolive]

Why are you posting pics of your pubes?

Why are you so f*****g rude?