You might see the title of this article and ask, what even is trichotillomania? Is it just a fancy word? To those living in a world with trichotillomania, we sometimes wish it were just a word. However, trichotillomania is classified as having an urge to pull out your hair (usually from the scalp, eyelashes, and eyebrows). Trich is seen as an impulse control disorder but the truth is, there is so much unknown about this condition. Only about 2% of the world has trichotillomania. So why am I writing about this? October 1st-7th is Body Focused Repetitive Disorder awareness week and Trich falls into this category.
There are a lot of things you do not see when someone is living with trichotillomania. You might see bald spots. You might see the signs of depression and anxiety that is usually associated with trich. But here's what you don't see:
You don't see the hours spent in front of a mirror trying to find hairstyles that cover up the spots. The hours crying and fearing going out in public because you do not know what people will say. You don't see the hours spent in high school worrying about prom because while all your friends are talking about what they are going to do with their hair, you know there is not much you can do. You don't see the anxiety when the wind blows your hairband up because you feel as if your secret is exposed to the world. You won't see the tears that fall every time someone with trich relapses. The shame of seeing your hair in the pile on the floor. You won't see how trich can consume a person and yet they feel as if they can't reach out for help because there is so much unknown.
While there are many painful emotions and thoughts that you will not see, if you stick around someone who has trich, you might also be able to experience incredible things.
Maybe you will get to be there on the first day they don't pull at all in a while. Maybe you'll be there when they feel comfortable enough to take the headband off for the first time in years. Better yet, you might get to know a person with many other things than just trichotillomania. Maybe you'll see someone who is academically successful. Someone who loves to lead. Someone who loves their friends and is always there for them, even if they have their own struggles.
Trich is something that can completely take over a person. However, when friends stick around to see both the good and the bad days, it makes such a difference. In a world where it feels like everyone could leave you for being different, when you have friends that stick around, it makes the world a better place. Our biggest request? Please, just let us talk about it without feeling like we are shamed in a corner because there is not enough awareness and we need to start spreading some.
