My Trichotillomania Story

I first started pulling out my eyebrows and eyelashes when I was just 10 years old. Through my school years people constantly commented on my appearance. Some asked questions, others made assumptions or spread rumours. Every interaction felt exposing.

Eventually I began wearing makeup to hide the hair loss. Drawing on eyebrows would take up to 2 hours because I had nothing to work with, which has also led me to be late for work multiple times. When I was out in public, I constantly checked my mirror as I was terrified that my eyebrow makeup had smudged. I couldn't even spend the night with someone I was dating because my eyebrow make up would come off in my sleep. Pulling out my eyelashes didn’t just affect how I looked, it affected my health, I kept getting eye infections and each time I’d be stuck inside for up to a week while it healed.

I went to my GP and reached out to every mental health service seeking support and I was repeatedly turned away and told my case was "too complex". My experiences are what led me to create a support program for people living with trichotillomania. I lived with it for 11 years and it was one of the hardest times in my life. 

I’ve now overcome it and I support others going through it. I understand the shame, the fear of being noticed and the exhaustion that comes from trying to hide something you never chose.