Do You Cut Your Hair When Stressed/triggered?

[sad]

So I saw in another thread and was surprised, I didn't want to take it of topic. When I'm in a reall...

I've done it a few times in my life. I've done it 2x this past month.. I feel triggered and desperate. I love my long hair, its a major part of my identity but maybe that's why I want to chop it all off because it is who I am...and I don't like her right now.

 

[bumbles]

I do this frequently, but only upon reading this did I realize I haven't had "long" hair since I was attacked for the first time.

 

[cherileisman]

I have done for years but never connected the impulse to hack away at my hair with the PTSD before. Good question!

 

[KeepItSimple]

Good topic, and does not appear to be gender oriented. Currently seeking a #4 anfter using a 1 1/2 after cutting my hair roughly just over a month ago.

 

[Debra]

So I saw in another thread and was surprised, I didn't want to take it of topic. When I'm in a really bad place or triggered, sometimes I feel the overwhelming urge to cut my hair, the urge to do this is much stronger when my hair is growing longer, I end up cutting it or buzzing it off with clippers (not bald, just short - I use an #8 and #12 clipper guard that gives a good pixie cut).

I don't feel that I do this as direct relation to a trauma or memory, or because I'm loosing it. I think it's probably that I feel an intense need for change and that cutting my hair is something I can do. Though I have noticed, I hate having long hair mostly because I don't think it suits me, but also it's a lot of work (my hair is incredibly thick) and I seem to strangle myself with it in my sleep. The only way I'd grow my hair out now is to get dreadlocks which I do really want, but I can't even grow it for that because I get antsy to cut it all off.

I was surprised to see that two other members mentioned they cut their hair (though I don't know to what degree) and I wondered if anyone else feels the need to cut their hair when triggered or coming out of a bad place and whether this is just metamorphic (needing change) or practical (needing a lower maintenance cut), or if some members have a negative feelings about having longer hair.

I've been cutting my hair now for almost a year,I didnt realize that there were people who did the same as me. Mine is definiently stress related. I almost feel like Edward Scissor hands while I'm doing it. The first few minutes of cutting it is just frenzied cutting. Then I'm stressed and in tears trying to fix it for the next couple of hours. Wish I could stop doing this.

 

[KeepItSimple]

Yesterday I buzzed my sides and back including the funky neck region ☠

I probably save nearly a half tank of fuel by cutting my own hair every few weeks. A ‘bachelor’ (laughter) Maybe I will impress the right women with my skills of thrift?

 

[shimmerz]

I cut my hair when people start saying it looks 'really good'. I don't like people noticing me. So I guess that is a trigger.

 

[Ronin]

A ‘bachelor’ (laughter) Maybe I will impress the right women with my skills of thrift?

:roflmao:
Let me know how THAT works, since haircuts do not seem to have that effect in my corner.

 

[Luke Warm]

This thread has been going for years! Like many others here, I have been doing this and Googled it to see if there was a specific name / explanation. All of the reasons given here by others are what I expected to see, and it is refreshing to hear that there are people from different genders, backgrounds and ages who have this one thing in common.
I've had fairly long hair since my teens and it's always kind of stood out. It's part of who I am and I've always been proud of it.
Life has changed a lot in the last year or two - I got married, bought a house, learned to drive, got 2 dogs, started studying through work, moved back to my hometown and had a baby. Last year I cut all my hair off short (about #4) in the bathroom mirror with a pair or scissors. Then over the next month or so, kept trimming further bits off it. It looked fine, but I hated it. Didn't feel like myself anymore. I slowly let it grow back over nearly a year and it just got to the point where I was starting to like it again, and now I've gone and done the same thing again. We aren't getting much sleep at the moment and my wife has been struggling emotionally, I think the most recent cut is linked to this. I'm feeling much better about it this time, I know it will grow back and I've compensated by keeping a short beard; but I really wish I hadn't done it. It was a very strong impulse!
Once it eventually grows back (I have been doing the trimming thing again), I may need a way to overcome the urge. Would appreciate anyone's advice!

 

[shimmerz]

I slowly let it grow back over nearly a year and it just got to the point where I was starting to like it again, and now I've gone and done the same thing again.

It's a long story as to why, but I have recently put this behaviour together for myself.

Trigger phrase? 'Your hair looks GREAT!'
Reaction? Destroy it by cutting it off.
Reaction of compliment-er? A stricken look on their face and a stuttered 'I said your hair looked GOOD - what have you done to yourself?'

Happens all the time. I am coming up to 60 now and have grey-ish hair. I figured I was out of the 'I love your hair' woods, but apparently people like the blonde/grey mix and it is happening a lot again. I seem driven after it has happened to seek out the worst hairdresser known to mankind and let them have at it. *heavy sigh* Totally makes sense to me though. I know exactly why. My mother controlled my hair and we fought about it a ton when I was young. She always insisted on having me have short hair. I keep reminding myself that it is her voice telling me to cut it off. Still working on it.

 

[frogthroat]

This thread is really interesting. I've had really short hair for about 2 years now and I would buzz my head if it didn't care about drawing unwanted attention to myself. I don't miss long hair at all. It used to be down to my butt. I don't dye it anymore either. I didn't think about haircuts being related to PTSD. I think I just don't give a hoot what my hair looks like. It's always under a ball cap anyway. A $15 haircut is pretty good though. No more salons.

 

[Wawnique S]

So I saw in another thread and was surprised, I didn't want to take it of topic. When I'm in a really bad place or triggered, sometimes I feel the overwhelming urge to cut my hair, the urge to do this is much stronger when my hair is growing longer, I end up cutting it or buzzing it off with clippers (not bald, just short - I use an #8 and #12 clipper guard that gives a good pixie cut).

I don't feel that I do this as direct relation to a trauma or memory, or because I'm loosing it. I think it's probably that I feel an intense need for change and that cutting my hair is something I can do. Though I have noticed, I hate having long hair mostly because I don't think it suits me, but also it's a lot of work (my hair is incredibly thick) and I seem to strangle myself with it in my sleep. The only way I'd grow my hair out now is to get dreadlocks which I do really want, but I can't even grow it for that because I get antsy to cut it all off.

I was surprised to see that two other members mentioned they cut their hair (though I don't know to what degree) and I wondered if anyone else feels the need to cut their hair when triggered or coming out of a bad place and whether this is just metamorphic (needing change) or practical (needing a lower maintenance cut), or if some members have a negative feelings about having longer hair.

I thought I was the only one to do that. When I am stressed and full of anxiety I cut my hair I cut an inch off last night. :@(