5 Year Old Pulling Hair Out...

Hi D., my name is S., and I am a grandmother raising three emotionally disturbed grandchildren. I don't want to distress you, but there is a form of mental illness in which people pull their hair out. I would contact your doctor, and get some advice. I am an advocate for children and families with mental illness, and I can tell you that the sooner it is caught the more chance of helping the brain heal. I have a neice who pulls her hair out, and she is doing really well, but was not diagnosed at a young age, she was much older when they discovered the problem, so she takes medication to help. It may have been nothing but a way of expressing her anger at being on a time out, but if it becomes a pattern, I would have her checked. Best wishes to you.

D.,

Hi. Let me ask you...was she tugging at her hair to make it fall out or just kinda sweeping her hands through her hair? Both my daughter and I have a habit of sweeping our hands through our hair when we are in deep thought or nervous. We always end up with a handful of hair. It's ok and quite normal for hair to fall out. I wouldn't be too concerned. =)

However, I have also read about people pulling out a strand of hair at a time just to feel the sudden "pinch", this is a serious psychological condition -trichotillomania- but, if she has never done this before and there are no bald spots or change in behavior, I wouldn't be too concerned. Just keep an eye on her. =) Good luck!

What ever you do, don't at this place show you are scared!!
You'll be controlled for ever. Yes, watch this behavior.
Try instead of having a time out just sitting,the time out has to have some project, something to do with her hands.
Ex. You talked back, thats not accepted in our home, so you will now sit in the kitchen and make a picture of what you think we should do when you are ready to behave. Remember a time out is more of a controlled space, and you are in control. You are the MOM. Don't let the child push your buttons.