What is Trichotillomania? | Heather Brooke - 032

HAIRPOD™

Trichotillomania (also known as trich or TTM) is a condition that causes someone to compulsively pull out their hair. In honor of Trichotillomania Awareness Month, we spent some time with Heather Brooke talking in depth about this disorder, discussing her experience as a licensed professional counselor working with clients with TTM and her lived experience with the condition starting in childhood. This is a compassionate conversation for people struggling with trichotillomania, their support systems, and anyone with an interest in learning more about this often misunderstood condition.

What is Trichotillomania?

Trichotillomania is a hairpulling disorder that causes people to uncontrollably (and at times unconsciously) pull out their hair. There is a lot of variability in how it can manifest in different people - the level of severity, location of the hair-pulling, and the age at which it starts can differ from case to case. Its causes are unknown, in Heather Brooke’s case, she believes her TTM was caused by trauma. Heather was only nine years old when her trichotillomania began, and she relied on the adults in her life to notice and help her seek therapeutic help. Even though Heather has been in therapy and she is a therapist herself, she still struggles with her TTM. But that doesn’t mean there is no hope!

Resources for People with Trichotillomania

A cure for trichotillomania has not yet been discovered, but there are many things we can do to reduce the impacts of it. In Heather’s case, her TTM is exacerbated by anxiety and stress. Finding multiple outlets to release that stress is critical. For Heather, her main outlet is working out and going to the gym to let off steam, but in very stressful times, going to the gym isn’t always possible. Having other coping strategies is extremely important when it comes to reducing the effects of TTM. One way to develop some of those coping strategies is to seek therapy and work with a licensed professional who can give individualized advice.

How to Support Someone with Trichotillomania

If you want to help someone with trichotillomania, you have to start with compassion. As with any other condition related to mental illness, it isn’t helpful to respond by telling the person suffering to “just stop.” People struggling with TTM do not want to pull their hair compulsively, so try to understand and empathize the best you can. Ask questions, put yourself in their shoes, and avoid judgmental language. For kids with TTM, Heather wrote a children’s book called “Where Is My Hair? A Trichotillomania Story For Children” to help kids understand and relate to the disorder. And if you suspect the compulsive hair-pulling may be related to underlying trauma, it may be worthwhile to gently recommend counselling to your friend or loved one who is suffering with this disorder.

Resources

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Buy Heather’s book, “Where Is My Hair? A Trichotillomania Story For Children”

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