A few months ago my daughter started ripping pieces of her hair out after twisting them in little balls. I didn’t know it was going to turn into a huge situation at that point and now it’s gotten pretty bad and I am just seeking for some recommendations or thoughts on the matter.

Her great grandma died a year and a half ago. She lived with us so that was sort of sad for Olivia (daughter). I got pregnant last year around this time & had my son 7 months ago. my moms long time boyfriend (8) years moved out 6 months ago, came back and left after a couple weeks. He was my biggest supporter during my pregnancy and the biggest help I had throughout these 6 years. She adored him, she loved him the most, honestly. But he hasn’t reached out and is literally drinking himself away so she hasn’t seen him in months.. And now we are moving from Tennessee to Arizona & she’s very excited but Im sure she is worried about going to a new school and leaving her friends.

So I know some things have changed and that could be a reason for her nervous/anxious/(even when she’s bored and or excited) habit. Now I want to point out that my daughter is VERY bright. She is never upset or sad or angry, that I know of. She honestly is so great, she doesn’t throw fits and she says “okay mommy” literally any time I tell her to do anything. She has a type A personality and aims to please. She’s also brilliant and such a hard worker. She’s like a golden child and I’m not saying that because she’s my kid. She is never bratty or disrespectful. I got really lucky, God granted me an easy go with my daughter.

Anyway,

I took her to the pediatrician and she instantly wanted to put her on a dose of 1.25ml of Prozac. I was hesitant. My fiancé was hesitant. My mom didn’t know what was best and told me that she would have my back in whatever I decided to do. I bit the bullet about 2 weeks later and started her on the medicine. It made her pupils huge and got her all uppity. She was very hyper, wanted to do the dishes, wanted to do her homework (not unusual but she wanted to do all months homework too), and she also wanted to workout that night. Her hair pulling stopped, so I thought. But the other day I realized her hair was getting shorter and I asked her if she was still pulling and when she would do it & why she felt the need to. (like out of boredom or in the bath or laying down before bed etc) I have been very supportive and we are always telling her how beautiful. she told me “Yes mommy I still do, I hide the hair under my sheets or memes sheets. I do it because it hurts, but I kind of like the pain” that concerns me... so I called the pediatrician and she told me to up her dose of Prozac... that she wanted to change it to 2.5ml because she started her off on the very lowest dose. i’m worried about her being on this medicine so young. and i know i should trust the pediatrician but i’m worried that it might not be the right answer for her. I called a therapy/counseling/psychiatrist place and have an appointment for Thursday.

another concern is that her hair is very short in the front and along her hairline in the back. It looks like she has a mullet & her hair is definitely thinning out. If she keeps doing it she is going to be bald.... I can’t put her hair up and I’m not able to clip it back because of the thinning. I don’t know how to stop this and obviously the medicine isn’t stopping her from doing it (though she’s only been on it for 4 weeks)

I just don’t know if it’s the right thing sand if anyone has any advice on kids ripping their hair out???? Thanks!!