I'm really worried about my 7 year old son.
He started pulling the silver fur out of our cat. Our cat is a grey/black tabby. I explained to him that it wouldn't be a nice feeling to our beloved pet. I still caught him doing a few times again and pulled him up on it. Any way the other day he was pulling at his eyelashes. And I didn't think anything of it, just told him to stop as he will hurt his eyelids. Tonight putting him to bed, I realise he has nearly NO eyelashes left! On either eyelid! After asking him why he has done it, he just burst into tears. He finally told me "it makes him feel comfortable" he said "like when I'm scared of the dark I lay in bed and pull my eyelashes out, it makes me feel better" I asked him if it hurts his reply "no, not really"
I'm really upset, I guess because I don't understand this behavior. What could be happening?
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8 Replies
I can't remember the name of it sorry but take him to the GP for a referral. It's an anxiety type situation and although picking eyelashes isn't that big of a deal you don't want him to start in his head.
Anxiety ): get him to docs please
Trichotillomania is the name. Please get him to the doctor and get a referral to a child psychologist.
Have been to the docs today. He has advised me to sit and talk with my son as it sounds like stress related. He said at this early age there won't be mucb they can do. Just to keep an eye on him and talk to him everyday, help him with his emotions. I will be doing this for the next few days and if nothing improves I will get a second opinion.
thanks IMs xx
I'd be getting a second opinion - he's 7. Plenty old enough for assistance. If your dr won't refer him to a psychologist then find one who will.
I'm not saying that you connecting more deeply with your son won't help - it will - but this type of issue needs a lot of support.
in the mean time try to find him something else to focus his tension on, a ball to squeeze or something that clicks maybe?
I went through this phase at 5/6 years old. If I were anxious I would tug at eyelashes. One time I can remember reading a book about needles out loud at preschool and knowing I had to have needles that afternoon I don't think I had eyelashes left on one side. But I grew out of it. Maybe try to relieve anxiety ( night light etc) if I look back now it wasn't long after my mum had my sister I started doing it so I wonder if it was related. I had a wonderful secure childhood so it wasn't due to a traumatic event.
He is booked in to see a child psychologist next month. She has given him a mood chart with stickers so he can document how he is feeling morning and afternoon.
I am pregnant and he wasn't keen on that at first, but seems to have warmed to the idea. But his nanny and poppy (my parents) are also in the middle of a separation and I think this is affecting him as well.
hoping a talk with the psychologist will benefit him greatly.