How to stop hair twisting/pulling? (x-posted in Special Needs)

[LynnS6]

Ds (7 1/2) has been going through an anxious period. In addition to repeated night wakings , he's developed a habit of twisting his hair in the front.

It's very constant and quite noticeable (I was in to see his teacher and the school counselor yesterday and they both commented on it). I wouldn't worry about it too much EXCEPT he's starting to pull his hair out. He's already self-conscious, and I really don't want him going around with clumps of hair out!

It's going to be a couple of weeks before we can get him in to see anyone, so I'm looking for ideas to keep his hands out of his hair. It's almost a compulsion at this point in time - he just can't keep his hands away.

So far, we've mostly been verbally reminding him. I've tried giving him different objects to finger (squeeze ball, koosh ball), but they don't really work, and he doesn't want to take one to school.

Other ideas?

[SAHDS]

I do that and have done it since I was maybe 13-14... ? It's just another physical manifestation of my OCD.

I think it goes beyond simply finding another way to occupy his hands. At least, for me it definitely is.

If he's actually pulling hair out, though, I'd look into Trichotillomania.

[SpringMom]

My daughter (21-months) did that for a while and pulled out almost all of her hair. Our ped. recommended daily doses of fish oil to help reduce stress and anxiety. We bought Carlson's Fish Oil in Lemon and Balean's Fish Oil in Orange and give her 1/2 teaspoon and ourselves 1 teaspoon a day. The taste is great and my dd begs for it. It took a while but she has stopped pulling her hair out. She still twists it at night, but that is it. Good luck to you, I know that it is painful to watch.

[LynnS6]

We've got an appt with the ped next week, and I will bring up the possibility of OCD/Trichotillomania.

I think we will do fish oil too. It can't hurt, might help, and since he's got some general anxiety it'll be good for him overall, I think.

[acsammel]

Is cutting his hair really short an option? Maybe if the hair was too short to pull on it for a while, he would lose the habit completely. My sister's son had this issue and he just had a military-short haircut for a couple months.

[LynnS6]

Cutting his hair short IS an option, but before we do that, I want to see whether this is anxiety related.

[SAHDS]

Originally Posted by LynnS6

Cutting his hair short IS an option, but before we do that, I want to see whether this is anxiety related.

I think that's very wise.

I could shave my head but I'd bite my nails or pick my skin or whatever. For me, it's an outlet, I suppose.

Keep us informed!