4 yr old, plays with her hair,pulls at it and rips it out at times!! HELP!!!?

Question

she just started doing this within the past 2 weeks or so.

I think it is her way of handling stress. When she gets in trouble or is sad or tired is when she does it the most. Her cousin moved away that she saw everyday, they are 5 months apart and very close, it started right after she moved. She has 3 siblings to play with, and several playmates. i am concerned that with her pulling on her hair she isn't going to have any left.

It is long,she usually only plays with the left side above the ear....so it has become very thin. it is noticible to me at least that it is very thinned out on that side... I have been trying to keep it pulled back and away from her face. But she isn't afraid to pull at it to the point she rips hair out!

I have taken her bike away for the hour or the day even, and still she plays with it.

Dr doesn't know what to do....besides sending her to a shrink.

any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Answer 1

Just a comment about the Trichotillomania, in 22 yrs I have only seen 3 cases working at psych hospitals.  It is extremely rare, and the patients were much older, 2 adolescents, 1 adult post-pardom.  I don't know if this dx is a possibility or not.  This disorder is anxiety based.  You may need to seek a behavior modification specialist, I would do so the earlier the better.  Sometimes these things could be a phase, or it could be progressive, so I think it is crucial not to wait.

Answer 2

I am a special ed aide and I had a student who would do this, not only on her head but on her arms as well.  Now, this student had a multitude of other issues that I'm not saying that your daughter has, but there is a condition with a name for this.  Trichotillomania.  There is nothing wrong with taking her to a psychologist or psychiatrist to handle what's upsetting her.  I don't think she'd need medication, but perhaps someone who isn't involved personally with the situation to talk to might be helpful for her.  There is NO SHAME in needing help sometimes, none.  Take her where she needs to be.  Link below about hair pulling....