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Posted 10/21/2006 9:34 PM (GMT 0)
I usually post on the depression board, been dealing with that issue for awhile, but have anxiety too, feeling it today. My heart starts pounding so hard that my chest hurts. I also have the bad habit of tearing at my hair when I get this way. I can't seem to keep my hands out of it to the point that my scalp hurts. It's starting to show too, some of my hair is much shorter than the rest. UGH! My husband can tell what kind of day I'm having by how much I mess with my hair.
I'm so tired of the anxiety and depression, I don't know if it will ever go away.
Posted 10/21/2006 10:01 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome, Suzy!
We know what you mean about how bad anxiety makes one feel... sad
It sounds like you would do good to have a hobby or something that would keep your hands busy when you're having a tendency to pull at your hair. I used to make myself a cardboard weaving board (take some stiff cardboard and cut corresponding slots on opposite ends of each other) and just take some cheap yarn and do simple weaving, over and over. I did it just to keep my hands and mind busy. It wasn't really to amke anything. Just a mindless repetition...have you talked to your doc about anxiety and your hair pulling compulsion?
Keep posting! smile
janet
Posted 10/21/2006 10:09 PM (GMT 0)
No, I never mentioned that to her. I was just happy to get in about the depression that I kinda forgot everything else. I got back in on the 30th for some tests and a check up. I try to keep my hands busy but before I know it I'm back at my hair again. I have some hand held games that I use when I'm sitting in the living room and those help sometime.
Posted 10/21/2006 11:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Suzy,
Welcome to the AP board! Do you like to cook or bake? I do that sometimes to distract myself and I thought it might be a good way to keep your hands and mind busy.
Posted 10/21/2006 11:57 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to this forum I have read some of your posts in Depression forum so I feel I know a bit about you at least
I really do think this has got to be tlked to with your doc hun as it wont stop til you deal with it and it is a hard compulsion I am aware as my aunt was so much like that when she was Anxious .......she literally had bald spots and she would constantly twist her hair around her fingers w/o even really knowing or being aware she was doing it
Having hobbies is a great idea I am OCD actually severly OCD about some things and I am learning new ways to deal with some of them but I am an "Old DoG " lol hard to teach new tricks AM giving it my best shot though
I bake and cook with my daughter also read and have a "teen night" where the teens in town here all come together to do whatever or talk about what they need to deal with in todays world
This is something I really enjoy and it does help with some of my A/P
There are so many great peeps on this forum as well so I am gald you popped over her and hope you will continue to participate here as well as in depression forum
Please let us know how things go with the doc and again just my opinion but I truly believe the doc needs to be aware of this and then you can be tx for it accordingly
We are here for you in the meantime okay
Glad to see you sorry it is because of this DD
Be ell
Lyn
Posted 10/22/2006 12:26 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Howlyncat and JKRsGirl, I do ok when I am busy, like at work or typing...ect. It's when I'm sitting watching tv, reading or even driving that I find my hands working. I will be standing in front of the window and find my self twisting my hair. My husband will nicely tell me to stop when he sees me doing it and tries to get me to talk cuz he knows stuff is going through my head.
I will mention it to my doc on the 30th, part of me just feels silly and should just stop.
Posted 10/22/2006 12:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hun sometimes even though we tell ourselves to stop and feel real silly that we just dont or cant it is not our (Your) fault .......it is a compulsion and it is what needs to be addressed
Glad to hear you will discuss this with your doc
LYN
Posted 10/22/2006 1:14 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Suzy and welcome. You've been given some great advise. I love this board. All the people here are awesome. Just wanted to say hi and (((((HUGS))))).

Sometimes I watch a movie or read a book to get involved in someone else's land, for lack of a better word. That seems to calm me down. It takes my mind off of "me", which is where I don't want to be at that time.

Posted 10/22/2006 1:18 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Chelle. Hugs to you too. I think about watching a movie, but never get around to it. I find myself being antsy alot. I love these boards, they help alot.
Posted 10/22/2006 1:50 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Suzy -- do you have pets? I pet my cat and cuddle with my dog. It always calms me down. I believe that hair-pulling like picking can be comorbid with OCD or Borderline Personality Disorder or it could simply be anxiety (I pick the cuticles on my thumbs until they are raw - ouchy!) You need to tell your doc so she can diagnose you correctly and give you the right meds.
Posted 10/22/2006 1:53 AM (GMT 0)
No pets, just kids. LOL That's enough for me right now. I find it frustrating cuz it is ruining my hair and it's getting harder to hide how different some of it is.
Posted 10/22/2006 10:41 AM (GMT 0)
I hear ya there unfortunatey Cait (daughter) wants to be a vet ( actualy fortunately) so we have a kinda "naohs ark" in our home lol//cays birds a plenty:: parrots,cocckatiel cockatoos and budgies and now 3 lil kitties too .....fishmakes for a great time some days lol

Actual fact based ...
Cats can and will lower your blood pressure by just sitting and petting them and they calm you right down

Will be interested in what doc has to say also there is free online CBT MoodGymsTraining Program .......helps the way we think and to change our thinking habits might just be worht looking into
Lyn
Posted 10/22/2006 1:21 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Lyn, I'll check it out. Have to get through another week before I go the doc. I go back to work tomorrow, so that will help my head calm down for a bit.
Posted 10/22/2006 5:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Suzie,
Let us know how it goes at the doctor. I did have another idea. I don't know if it sounds silly, but I figured it might be worth a try. I have a doll that sits on my bed and she has long hair. Would it be helpful if you got a long haired doll and played with her hair? You'd still be getting that satisfaction of twirling hair around your fingers and the doll wouldn't mind about her haircut.
Posted 10/22/2006 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
I have thought about that, cuz if one of the kids is sitting with me I will mess with their hair too. You would think with three girls one of them would have a doll, but no. LOL I need to maybe go find a cheap one with long hair.
Posted 10/22/2006 6:16 PM (GMT 0)
I personally think it's worth a try. I'm for anything that might help. Good luck!
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