Ok. so i have...?!

Ok. so i have...?

trichotillomania...and i think i am ready to explain what i have to my friends and family. but how do i go about telling them. im scared of what their going to think and so i want to try and find the best way to tell them. iv had it pretty much sence i can remember( sence about 2 years old) and im now 19...i want them to try and understand this condition without judging me. what would be the best way of going about it..

also what is the best way to help get rid of it without medications.. ive tried keeping my self busy so i dont do it but it doesnt help... and it seems to be getting worse latley... please help!!!!

1 week ago
i have had a few comments from family when i was younger and they just thought it was a habbit and always were cruel about it when i was embarrised but no body has said anything about it for a couple of years

Dear Kelly......this is not something that you can treat without medications or ignoring. Let me ask you a simple question....if you had diabetes or heart disease or some other organic illness would you seek treatment or would you hope that they would just "go away"? I'm not sure that "educating" people about trichotillomania would be any kind of a solution. There is a stigma attached with any mental illness. People are still very judgemental when it comes to anything that they perceive as an aberration. Rather than educate them,,,,,why not educate yourself as to the course of treatments that are available and then seek out a professional who can help you. While somewhat rare trichotillomania can be successfully treated. Why choose to continue to be bothered with this? best wishes to you