There is a medical name for this disorder - it's called trichotillomania, is common in young children and teenagers and it is caused by the person being over-stressed. I'd recommend taking her to her g.p. and asking them if they think she should be seeing a Psycologist or Psychiatrist.

She pulled out her eyelashes? On purpose? Did you ask her why? Is this some kind of new fad? They protect the eyeball. I don't even know if they grow back. Yes, she might need to see another kind of doctor.

I'm with kayjones...she needs a therapist/psychologist/psychiatrist to help her deal with stress.

yep...she needs a therapist...although a trip to a GP wouldn't hurt either...

yep....therapist or if she needs prescribed meds then....a psychologist.

And.....an annual check up with a Gyn. which will have a staff that takes over as her regular medical doctor.

My sister has trichotillomania. She compulsively pulls hairs (eyebrows, eyelashes, leg hairs, chin hair) and picks her skin.

I did some reading about this, and I understand that cognitive behavioral therapy is supposed to be quite effective. You might look for a therapist experienced in CBT. (The Blue Cross/Blue Shield website lets you search for CBT therapists, and maybe other insurance providers let you do the same.) I'm not really sure of this. My sister's doctor doesn't seem to even bother with this, because it's not life-threatening like her bipolar illness.

Best of luck. I find it to be scary, because it seems so strange. That's because we're not the ones feeling the compulsion.

Kayjones and Joann23456 are right, and it's an obsessive/compulsive disorder. There are medications, antidepressants, I think, that can help- along with the cognitive behavioural therapy. My friend struggles with this.

I have a friend who has it as well, and he's not a teenager, he's much older. He has no eyebrows at all. Once he managed to stop himself, and they grew back in, but he backslid and started doing it again. Maybe it's a habit like nail biting, knee jiggling, fooling with one's hair--and another habit needs to replace it. I have heard of trichotilomania though, so I hope you can help your daughter. Do a little internet research. Best wishes.

I think I've read that this is VERY common, and rather like nail-biting. Please don't think she has some dreaded condition because it can be dealt with and I'm pretty sure it's not a big deal. Seeing someone who is familiar with this condition is probably a good idea.

listen to the ladies and get your dd for a complete physical with a gp...i'm really surprised the peds doc didn't send her at 18...

yes..they will grow back...

When I wear mascara...sometimes it bothers me so I kind of pull it off my lashes...many times the lash will come out with the mascara..but they have always grown back...

And unfortunately we know those darn eyebrow hairs grow back again and again and again....

But I imagine she needs to do something about stress if that is what's causing her to do this.

I wish the best of luck to her...

patti

good luck to your daughter

I have a friend who has trichotillomania. In her case she has chosen to wear a buzz cut because otherwise she will pull out her hair on her head.

It is not just a behavior but also a brain chemistry disease similar to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Your DD needs a therapist and a psychiatrist or medical doctor to prescribe meds. A psychologist is not a medical doctor and may not prescribe meds. Often they work hand in hand with a Psychiatrist for the meds and the psychologist doing the talk therapy and behavioral modification end. The meds may be needed either short term to help her level off to be able to get a handle on this or they may be needed long term, perhaps for the rest of her life. But she seriously needs to get the proper medical and psychological help ASAP.

The earlier she gets treatment the sooner she can get better. The problem will not just go away on its own. Stress may have been the trigger but it was not the cause. Your DD may have been doing this in secret for far longer than you think.

You DD is waaaay too old for a pediatrician in my opinion. She is an adult now with adult medical needs.

Best of luck to her.

When I was a kid the father next door died suddenly of a heart attack. His youngest daughter started to rub her head constantly on one side and all the hair fell out. She was treated for trichotillomania. She was almost a teenager before she stopped doing it. Good thoughts for your daughter.

Anne

Yes, I did some research and I agree it's a psychological problem. I used to be a nail niter so I understand the OCD part. I remember seeing a hint of nail growing and having the urge to bite it off. I finally quit when I was in my 40's by getting weekly manicures. I will take her to our family GP. My DH suffers from depression, so we have both a Psyvhiatrist and Psychologist available. I'll make appointments today. Thanks everyone for the advice!

First....have her throw out any mascara and eye makeup!!!

It may be contaminated with something. A friend of mine years ago did this, she said it was itchy. I can't remember if it was a bacterial infection or a mite of some kind. But she went to the doctor and got some kind of ointment. Everything grew back.

Good advice, Izzie. Also possibly a visit to an eye doctor to make sure nothing is going on.

I'm NOT embarrassed to say I am a trickster of 41 yrs. now. It is Trichotillomania, a form of OCD. No general physician will help. She needs other types of help and meds. It's during times of extreme stress that I do this. I'm not a skin picker just hair puller (eye lashes and brows). It is funny how many people do not notice. If she or you want to send me an email, I'd be more than happy to talk to you about it. Oh, and yes, even after 41 yrs. of tugging... they are stubborn enough to grow back.

BTW... KT'er who contacted me a while back after I came out of the OCD closet with this problem, you know who you are... I've changed my email. Here's the new one: orie.hernandez@hotmail.com. How are you doing? Lost track of you but think of you often.

When I was a kid, I pulled my eyelashes out. Can't remember how long I did that, but I did stop...without meds,Drs,etc.! My ex BIL pulled out his eyebrows for awhile. Again, it was something he stopped doing after awhile. I think for most, it's like some here have said..it's a habit like biting nails.