Leaving the house is the only thing that works for me

I have to be gardening or baking or doing something with my hands where there's gunk on them. Watching tv, talking on phone, and surfing the net are the worst times for me.

sometimes I'll just start braiding my hair into micro braids. that way I'm still tampering with my hair but not pulling it out. Plus I get compliments when my hair looks like that most of the time.
Also (though embarrasing) I borrow my daughters doll with long hair and play with it. Brush it whatever, I don't have urdges to pull out anyone elses hair so this can be really helpful fo me.

I have heard that remembering the feeling associated with it and picturing your "favorite" part of it (for many the root) makes the urge go away. I haven't tried this too much as I only heard it a few days ago.

I tend to pull more when I'm laying down about to go to sleep so I put socks on my hands. Depending on what type of day I had that usually works. If it was a great day it works for me but a stressful one.... the socks come off in less than a minute. I also try to keep myself occupied. Not just my hands. That takes my mind off of it completely

changing whatever i'm doing helps...but if i'm driving i cant just get out of the van...so i have a supply of help in the side pocket of the van...a nice feeling hair brush that will stimulate the scalp and help with the itch to pull without pulling, lotion for my hands to stay sticky, or something to hold in my free hand. when i'm home and an actual stressful trigger has me seeking the trance of pulling ( the intoxication ) i have to take a bath and soak my head, i treat myself to really nice bath supplies, and take the cd-player, candles, sometimes a glass of wine and chill with the bubbles...works everytime cuz i'm pampering myself and distracting myself, and cant pull my hair when its wet....thought of painting my fingertips with superglue to distort the feeling in the fingertips in finding the perfect hair and the ability to isolate it...if its summer i can go to the garden and pull weeds...it really has a similiar effect..cuz i'm after the roots!...but without the stimming gratification of "pain-pleasure" associated with hair pulling...and just identifying that i'm upset, or even why-giving it a name and allowing myself that permission to be upset...or even better yet: standing up for myself.

i read myself to sleep to avoid pulling... being with my friends always helps because if they notice my pulling they make me stop and usually i'm having fun and dont even think about the trich

I can't seem to find a solution. I feel like I'm doomed!! :(

I try to stay positive and upbeat, I try to immerse myself in physical activities, I try to avoid being alone and in my head, and replace that time by spending it with positive people.

One thing that works for me when I'm in pulling mode is patting/petting my little kitten he's soft and warm and nice and keeps my hands busy..I did actually once pull one of his tail hairs out - Woops! Sorry kitty lol.

I am also learning that I can stop feeding the urge by forceing myself to get up and get out of the current place or situation. I know that the urge/compulsion will eventually fade away and I'll find myself pull free.

This is all new to me,and I'm glad you asked the question. I am also taking these suggestions with me. I've been 2 days of not pulling, its been taking a shower when I felt the urge to pull or wet my hair down. Also wearing socks at night has helped me. I'm going to try the garden thing with the weeds. I think it will help also.

i created a saying when ever i have an urge. as angry as possible i say outloud " i control my trichotillomania, my trichotillomania does not control me." i feel better and the urge leaves me afterwards. i haven't pulled in 16 months so it works for me.

gloves, vaseline, fake fingernails, put hair in towel, lots of things for your hands. Good Luck

i do alot of crocheting, which keeps my hands busy. when i crochet i cant pull...also sewing or anything like that.