In the eyes of a Trichotillomaniac

This was probably the hardest to draw because it's a self portrait... life with Trichotillomania is more than a life without eyelashes or eyebrows or hair. It's a life without self esteem, it's wondering if they noticed the bald patch in your hair while swimming, or trying to hide the missing patches of hair on your face with make up, it's worrying about if they notice the missing pieces even when they are hidden, it's a life of anxiety and constantly hiding, it's worrying about telling your loved ones because you don't know how they would react to finding out the truth. It's not wanting to admit somethings wrong.

Les than 2% of people have admitted to pulling their hair, but it is estimated to have more, but nobody wants to admit the problem because of the shame that comes with the impulses.

Trichotillomania is a Body-Focused Repetitive Behavior (BFRB) , it developes during the ages of 9-13 but it can begin even sooner, as young as 6 months old. Trichotillomania is the impulse to pull your hair. It can involve Eyelashes, Eyebrows, Head hair, Pubic hair, Armpit hair, leg hair, or any form of hair on the body.

For most of the population they stop after 15 but for many like me, they live their whole lives trying to hide the stress inducing patches of missing hair.

Most of us avoid openly discussing this because we feel other will judge us, but the truth is, I've never met a single person that insulted me for it, they may be curious about why it's missing, but never has anyone made fun of my bald patches. Yes, I get weird looks but once they find out what it is they are more understanding. We need to open the conversation about impulse control disorders, many actors, actresses, and other celebrities have Trich like Olivia Munn, Megan Fox, and Justin Timberlake. We aren't alone and we need to open the conversation for help.

I don't want anyone else to suffer in silence anymore