I get anxiety about haircuts?

Question

Ever since I was a kid, I always had long hair. I could never get myself to cut it short which isn't so weird, but it started about 4 years ago that I have panic attacks before I go. I only go cut my hair maybe once a year now because the anxiety has gotten so bad. I had to bring a friend with me just recently to get it cut so that I wouldn't just turn my car around. Even though I go to the same place, get it cut by the same person, and only cut off 2 inches I freak out. On the way there I felt light-headed like I was going to pass out, felt like throwing up, heart racing, hard time breathing, and concentrating.

 I just want to know if anybody else has the same issue and what I can do about this because it's got to the point where it's really bad....

Answer

Some people have a hard time with change. This can be due to a mental illness due to its severity over something simple or this could just be a normal habit that you developed. You could ask a doctor or thearapist about this, as well as bring up any other habits reactions or pet peeves similar to this one. Getting someone to go with you is a good idea, as some things need to be done and having someone there for an extra push can really help. If you find you cannot always bring a friend for support talk yourself through it and work on some coping skills to help you through things like this, as although this seems like a small reason to freak out it&rsquo;s reasonable due to certain circimstances and may be helped through certain methods.

Answer

You sound like me getting a blood test lol. Maybe you could watch other people's hair being cut so it becomes more regular for you and not such a big deal. You can start with Youtube so you don't need to leave your house. Just search for people getting hair cuts and watch some videos. Then you can go and watch your friend's hair being cut so it's a more real experience. After all the experience and watching other people's hair being cut it shouldn't be such a big deal any more.

Answer

If you seriously want to get rid of this then find a psychologist who does EMDR.  Google it.  It works and generally you can do it in a couple sessions.  It's an odd little procedure but it very much works.  You might feel silly doing it but it changes the stress level to nothing and you shouldn't ever be bothered with it again.  I've used it.

Otherwise use self-hypnosis which is deep breathing exercise and that works but you have to do it it each time which is no big deal and you can learn it from watching a primer on youtube.  However, you can do better with EMDR.

I get anxiety about haircuts?

Answers (3)