4 Yr Old Pulling Hair Out in Chunks.. Getting Her to Sleep Is Also a Problem.

Please. You need to get your daughter evaluated by a child psychologist. I worked in hennepin county juvenile court for almost 5 years and I witnessed the effect that domestic violence has on children, even if they are never the physical victims of it. The effects can be lasting and persistent and need to be addressed as soon as possible. I'm sure the stress of the divorce is affecting her as well. I applaud you for taking the steps to get out of the abusive relationship. I know it wasn't easy and many women never can. Now you need to take the necessary steps to help you and your daughter heal. Good luck.

I know from experience with my children and a friends that the pulling out the hair is a psychological problem. It is a anxiety disorder. I she afraid of the dark or things at night? Also we had to have a very set bedtime ritual that didn't vary. With you divorcing it makes her world unstable and bedtime battles are common. The hair pulling or any other thing that is harmful I would talk to a doctor about. My child pulls his hair our from nerves at school....he is 7, he has also been biting himself. I know these are forms of self mutalation. Seek help.

Hi, I knew a girl in school that use to pull her hair out during bedtime/sleep. It was some sort of disorder and I'm not sure of the specifics of her situation, however, it didn't go away.

I would suggest talking to your pediatrician about it to see if they have any suggestions for you.

Hope everything works out.

I don't think it is completely the same but we had a hair issue here that effected sleeping. Our second child has some major sensory issues and was never able to sooth himself. After birth-three started working with him (therepy) he began to run his hand through his hair and was able to calm himself to go to sleep and with daily issues. Then he started "twrilling" his hair. That was fine until he had a two and a half (in diameter) bald spot on the crown of his head. I needed to break his habbit so we shaved his head (I know that is not an option for your girl, but I am just letting you know what we did). The nights after we did that were a nightmare. Trying to go to sleep for him was impossible. He would just toss and turn and roll. He eventually got over it and sleeps just fine but if his hair gets too long it all starts over again.
His therepist said to give him a blanket with a fringe or one of those taggie blankets to give him something to run his fingers on. That does not always work but he does like pulling the string fringe out of the blanket we gave him.
I really hope this helps even a little bit. Or atleast lets you know you are not alone.

Take her to the Dr. There is an illness where people pull their hair out. I'm a hairdresser, and I've had adult and child clients who had this disorder.

I'm not sure what causes it, or what they do to fix it, but it is worth a trip to the Doctor. I think it's a form of obsessive compulsion.

Also, since this is a new behavior, and a major thing that has changed in both of your lives is the divorce.. it could have something to do with that.

Anyhow.. in all the clients I've seen with it.. cutting their hair shorter never did anything to curb it. Unless you shaved her head bald, which is something I'm sure you're not going to do!

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I went to school with this girl and her sister did that. She also pulled out her eyelashes. She had something wrong with her like a disorder or something and I ran into her the other day she works at a store I went into and she still must do it because she had no eyelashes still. I would totally recommend bringing her into a children's psychologist or something. That is not normal at all. It must hurt. It may be a factor that you are no longer with her dad. Some people cut themselves maybe this is what she does but get her help asap!

There is a disorder called Trichotillomania, my husband has done research on it and this sounds very similiar. The disorder is similiar to obsessive compulsive disorder in the sense that she has compulsions to pull her hair.She most likely has urges to pul hair and experiences much relief upon doing so, kind of like scratching an itch. It is another factor that she has trouble going to sleep at night she most likley has the greatest urges at this time. There are treatments available, please talk to your Dr about this. This is not a diagnosis rather some information that may help.

I agree with the first postings (I only read that far). This may her way of controlling things. My 4 year old is very sensitive to the emotions around her. btw, congrats on getting away from a violent marriage. I wish I could do the same.

Hi A.-
I am wondering if your daughter is stressed due to dad not being there. Right now it sounds like her world has been flipped upside down and she does not know how to deal with the stress. I suggest just sitting down and drawing with her and tell you want her to draw pictures of whatever is making her sad, upset then you can talk about these pictures together.
Take care-
B.