"What the Pluck? Living with Trichotillomania” | Judith Stevenson | TEDxUniversityofGlasgowSalon

[@Tepeza]

I've been suffering from this for 37 years. I always thought I was alone. Thank you.

[@judestevenson1151]

Hi Golden Shoes. You are not alone. All my love.

[@hakedquestion592]

If you need this treatment and your hair back come to India for treatment I was having the same problem and I got completely bald from middle but now my problem solved

[@kreesod]

I had this from 12 to 13. Never had it again, it was automated OCD. Try Yoga Awakenigs (so that all movements become conscious) or Kava (Powder!) Drinks

[@user-xl6dj5cj9l]

hake please share what type of treatment you get and from where.

[@carolnahigian9518]

you're NOT alone.

[@Nicolestuffandthings]

I started suffering from trich when I was 12. I pulled my lashes and brows til I had none. I'm turning 30 this year and only managed to get it under control within the last few years. It still flares up from time to time when I'm stressed. Bullying was relentless all throughout school. I wouldn't wish trich on anyone. I have not felt comfortable going out without make up on for 17 years. I identified so much with everything you talked about. I really recommend aversion therapy (replacing this behaviour with another, less harmful one, for me it was curling my hair with my fingers), and then I got eyelash extensions to try and stop me from pulling what grew back. I still struggle with my brows as they have never fully grown back. Therapy and doctors never helped as none knew of this condition. I recommend to others to research as much as possible and find what works best for you. I honestly feel like understanding yourself and recognising and addressing your stresses is a massive step toward managing this condition.

[@judestevenson1151]

HI - you are so right. Education and research to understand not only the condition, but ourselves, is so important. I wish you the very best.

[@mamtakatheria]

Nicolestuffandthings I am also suffering from the from the same problem and I don't know that How can I overcome or improve myself . As just one year back I got to know that it is actually a disorder. Because of the lack of awareness and I think it's never too late to improve and I want the right guidance and right people to help me. As I am from India and I am not able to find out a good doctor who could help me as it seems nobody have heard about this disorder specially hair pulling . So, Could you please help me? Please contact me via email Thank you

[@DEATHVIAL]

NicoleL88 maybe you can get micro blading for your eyebrows :)

[@justanaveragemuslim5013]

I have that

[@GL-nu7rx]

I've had this since I was 12 too- I'm 23 now, but have had a year go by without pulling, before a relapse, before another pull-free few months and so on. COVID-19 and lockdown doesn't help, neither does working and studying (distraction), or less stress. Aversion therapy has helped a lot, where I fidget with my polished nails etc. That and watching videos like these, or talking to other people who are affected. I hope you know you are not alone, and that our condition does not define us.

[@tigraso296]

Ive been suffering from Trich since i can remember, Im 22 years old today and my whole life has been in shame with this. My parents would get mad if i started doing it i couldt control it. Bullying in school, friends and denial by my parents was really difficult. But this ted talk made me Cry a lot, Thank you Judith for being the voice i needed to hear. Thank you for making me feel Normal

[@judestevenson1151]

Hi! It's so great to hear from you! I completely understand how you feel and I am glad that you know you are not alone. All my love, Jude

[@kristintaylor1839]

Thank you for your bravery Judith. You are my Inspiration. I’m 45 and started at 8, so 37 years for me and suffer with the shame every day.

[@VV-tz4wk]

I've been diagnosed with trich scince I was 11. I am 14 now. It sucks so much. Everyone who knows this treats me like I am disabled or something. It is so nice to know I am not alone.

[@BenEatsKids]

Hey man it's okay I'm fourteen as well and I suffer with it too your not alone your human and you like everyone has their faults it's normal but what is not normal is allowing it to control you and I'm tired of letting it control me but the first step is admitting you have a problem you got this

[@lindaduncan2954]

I have lived with this for over 50 years. I’m 68. I’ve never met another person with this affliction. I don’t handle stress well and never have and I know it is connected to that. I really wish there was something I could do to stop. I was able to stop for a couple of years and I felt so ‘normal’ and was so happy. Now, at 68, I think I will go to my grave with it. God bless each and every one of you!

[@debbiematthews1730]

I, too, have dealt with it since 12 years old and am almost 68. It's much worse now...since I retired. How I hate it. But now I feel a kinship with others. It's still my secret, but I am encouraged to keep my hands busy doing something else...or at least try. Good luck to you, too.

[@SamuelDiaz21]

It's nice to know I'm not alone.

[@judestevenson1151]

You are NOT. We are a family bonded by our hairpulling/skinpicking

[@dermaamore1186]

I am 46 years old, started when I was 7. Thank you for sharing

[@judestevenson1151]

Hi Derma. I wish you the very best in this challenging journey - let's walk it together as we reduce the stigma.

[@dermaamore1186]

@@judestevenson1151 Absolutely

[@mishakane886]

I have been diagnosed with Trich when I was in 10 years old and it was very stressful for me to handle this OCD and sometimes I feel a little insane of pulling my hair out but I'm not really sad about it because I'm trying to help myself and I know God is trying to give me a challenge to face and I'm now facing this challenge and whoever have trich I wanted you to know that You're not alone!

[@judestevenson1151]

Thank you for this reply that contains hope! Hugs.

[@maileysinclair]

Thank you so much 🥺

[@lilisbeam9491]

Thanks Judith for sharing this very touching stories for all of the people that are suffering from trich. It's very sad to know that this plucking thing is a "disorder" and people in the society are just there to judge. Even our closest one, our family, friends, teachers they dont know nothing but judging us.. "dont do that, thats not good for you" "dont do that, that will make u look hideous" dont do this and dont do that. WE know that it's noooo good for us but we just cant help it. WE know that there's something wrong with us. WE just cant stop plucking it because it feeelss so good. WE do it because we have "things" going on with us and pulling is the way to release the stress. I had tricho when i was 11, i knew that it has a name when i was 17, i seek for help when im 19. And now i overcame it. and no longer doing my hair pulling. Thanks to every person reading this that has tricho, thanks for being so god damn strong, thanks for being the person that you are today. TRICHO doesnt define you. one day you will overcame it, i believe in you. please dont be scared to SEEK HELP. the process will be rough but you GOT IT. YOU CAN GET THROUGH IT AND YOU'RE NOT ALONE.

[@ranasanii3390]

Can you please share how you overcome hair pulling?

[@juliegilman7054]

I've had trich since the age of 19, now 59 and somehow I've been in remission for over a year. I don't know how or why it stopped but it did. I am left with bald patches from years of pulling but the rest has grown in. I used to wear wigs, shave my head, all of those things that trichsters do to cope/survive. It's been a long road for sure. Have I conquered trich? No but I am surviving it.

[@judestevenson1151]

Hey Julie, my friend! So lovely to see your comment. Well done on this remission!

[@shamsham2356]

I suffer from it greatly and no one understands me, they make me think that I have no right to complain about it and they think that I pull my hair out on purpose, but no one understands that it is not my will

[@mfkz_alyssa2017]

I started to pull out the front of my hair, then my eyelashes, then my brows till I went bald. My best friend passed away when I was 9 and it was a coping mechanism and I still do it and I’m 22 now😞… I fear anyone looking at my hair so I wear a hat outside and to work everyday because it’s one of my worst fears for people to stare at me like I’m a freak or something and I just want to stop🥺😭

[@samanthafox3124]

I started when I was 10 and now I'm 54. No end in sight. At this point, I'm not interested in curing it, but rather damage control. It's horrible.

[@TLCBFRB]

Fantastic testimony. So very proud to know Jude Stevenson!

[@judestevenson1151]

And I am even privileged to know TLC. See you in April!

[@gwynethiredale]

Thanks, Jude, for your openess, courage and for sharing your journey.

[@judestevenson1151]

Thank you Gwyneth. Your comment means a lot to me and the entire community.

[@sasantinordewati111]

Hi Jude, thank you for sharing, and hello everyone. I have this since maybe 8 years old, and now I’m 41. Like Jude, I found out that what I have is trichotillomania from googling it on the internet, that too when I finished college. Only recently I have been trying to consult with a psychologist, especially to work on my anxieties. Things start to unfold , from childhood traumas that I never knew would cause this. It’s a life long process but we’re hang in there ❤️

[@judestevenson1151]

Hi! You are not alone and we are together in this journey.

[@sasantinordewati111]

@@judestevenson1151 Thank you Jude for your support 💗 It means a lot, especially knowing that we’re not alone In this 🙏

[@judestevenson1151]

@@sasantinordewati111 No we are not. We are moving as a community and we're all in this together

[@jennaharmonn]

Thank you for sharing !!!

[@judestevenson1151]

I am so glad you found this helpful!

[@xDeathworm]

i don’t know who sees this but please reach out to me. i have suffered through this in waves. some very worse than others. Let me help you, i want to help you. we can get through this. i promise you.

[@debbiematthews1730]

I have dealt with this since 1967. It has been worse since I retired 2 years ago and the pandemic hit. Feeling hopeful that I can lessen the frequency if I keep busy. I am sending positive vibes and warm wishes to you, as we try to calm our habit.

[@Carebearsied]

I've been pulling from my scalp for 30 years and pulling while watching this. I know there is no end in sight for me. The shame is to much for me these days, I always wear a hat

[@ranubiswas721]

I have started since 12 years

[@debajitx69]

i never talked with anybody about this 😫

[@mekhalam9365]

I really wish you see the light at the end of this dark tunnel...my trich relapsed after 3 yrs and I am trying hard to fight it

[@Carebearsied]

@@mekhalam9365 how did you find relief?

[@mekhalam9365]

@@Carebearsied By relief if you mean if I have been able to resist the urge to pull...have been trying and fighting my way...I have been practicing diaphragmatic breathing to calm my nerves down so the urge shows up less, I am 24/7 wearing a winter knit cap so the hair is inaccessible but trich is smart, I find myself pulling even in the slightest opportunity when the cap is off or wake up from sleep and find myself pulling. Watching people fighting trich on KZbin helps a lot.

[@Itsumi_Nyanko]

It started at 7 for me...it's on and off... like very intense a year then ok for a few years. Now I've relapse since the start of covid. My husband knows. I try my best to keeps my hand busy...sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't . Stress is my worst enemy in this . Knowing thst there is so many people like me helps a lots. :)

[@sjustice3487]

I can relate. I have been doing this since 10, now 38. Since covid, ive had more anxiety, stress, depression and have been pulling a lot more. So fruatrating.

[@Itsumi_Nyanko]

@@sjustice3487 I'm 37 and this is the second worst episode since it started. :( getting it under control right now is really really hard. Talking about it helps a lot , tho. Hope it is getting better a little for you, friend.

[@sjustice3487]

I was doing relatively well for a little while, then my dog of 13 yrs tragically died at the end of July 2020, that along with working from home going on a year now, since covid.. Everything set that ball in motion and its been a lot harder to get control of..

[@Itsumi_Nyanko]

@@sjustice3487oh sorry to hear that. I would be really sad if my cats died too :'( and yeah...hard year for us :( it calmed down during summer since I could occupied myself outside but winter is always hard on me...seasonal depression...just hate the cold and snow loll

[@judestevenson1151]

Hi to everyone who commented. It's so hard isn't it? I just hope that with a community who continue to speak up, we can smash this stigma and educate others. I am so sorry for your loss Justice. I have a cat who is my world - he doesn't judge me. Guylaine, the weather also does not help - I hear ya there! Take care and thank you for commenting.

[@mamandi6534]

I've been plucking my hair since I was 13 years am now 44 and no sign of stopping.

[@magpiemaier]

We can’t stop because it feels like an intense itch in your hair follicles. A lot of time you don’t even notice you are doing it but sometimes you just do it to relieve the itching sensation

[@LexxiKitty]

Omg you're so right.. I hate that feeling

[@riancanete9295]

Undiagnosed trich, trying to self treat myself, family unsupportive😔

[@malkn1754]

I’ve never actually been diagnosed by a doctor but I’m pretty sure I have this

[@Ldharsi]

Been almost 4 years :( I really wish I could stop :((

[@rau1292]

im 11 right now i started around 2 months ago and im really trying to stop but is so hard

[@avacarolinem]

I’m almost 14 and I finally got it under control a few months ago and haven’t pulled since. If you’re still dealing with this I have a solution that’s helped me!!

[@jessa4280]

@@avacarolinem What did you try that helped? I also have it (at 14) and am currently trying to quit :) Stay strong!

[@avacarolinem]

@@jessa4280 I wrote out a little time calendar. There were intervals of 30 minutes so it looked like this... 12 12: 30 1 1: 30 (You get the point 😂) Every 30 min or hour that I didn’t pull, I would put a check mark. Then I started putting tally marks for days. Once I kept getting more tallies, I didn’t want to break the streak. This started for me on June 18th 2020 and I haven’t pulled since then which is really surprising since I started pulling when I was 8 and it was a 24/7 thing!!

[@jessa4280]

@@avacarolinem thanks for the telling me, and good luck with ur streak 👍🏼

[@avacarolinem]

@@jessa4280 of course! Let me know if it helps! Ig: @radiatetheword 💕

[@Chelsealynnism]

My eyelashes and eyebrows are always so itchy

[@judestevenson1151]

Oh i know that feeling. It's like a ring of fire!

[@Cô5Canada]

Has anyone had a successful stop/ending this brutal disorder yet? Please send me a message. Really appreciate it. Relapse is the curse of everything. Someone or something very toxic is the cause. Hard to get rid of them sometimes.

[@cheryl9269]

I am 53yrs old female. Started pulling at 20yrs old. I have worn wigs, hair toppers, clip ins for 33yrs. Only had a 3yrs remission…2012-2015 when i was in a good relatiomship. I felt born again! But when the relationship started to end…. My pulling resumed.😢 i have not found that again since.

[@01iuia]

I started doing this when I was 8, I’m 14 now doing much better but I’m still picking my hair frequently.

[@vaishalibaroliya]

its okkk ....this situation same goes to me.....:(

[@nataliemeenakshithegreat7780]

Been suffering from trichotillomenia since three years there is no médecine no bracelet gadjet nothing it is my nightmare I udt pick tear up my hair it calms me but now I a e a bold part

[@RCPSSpecialEducation]

Fabulous Jude!

[@judestevenson1151]

Hey Jessica!

[@migzadvisory3572]

I've been suffering with it for 20 years I'm 26

[@judestevenson1151]

You are not alone.

[@tanyayasmin6101]

Is it only me or that I suffer from this privately and never told anyone?? like nobody knew about this my mom does because she found my hair follicles in my bed and I try to hide them and also whenever I,m in school I just tend to not do it but sometimes I do it without being conscious it's just I Don,t want anyone to know this and then doing this in private

[@JessyO-fd7sv]

You are not alone..how old are you??

[@cheryl9269]

You are not alone… i am 54, pulled for 35yrs. Wear wigs fulltime for past 20yrs

[@lynettedenhaan3056]

I have recently started plucking all the hair in my neck and have gradually started moving to my face. Of late I'm experiencing extreme burning in my feet an inflammation in the only ear that I have. Today, my eyes have become sensitive and I decided that this has now become detrimental to my health. I find it extremely therapeutic. I don't know what to do.

[@DEATHVIAL]

I’m here for you xxx

[@debajitx69]

from age 10 to now 24 still doing ..n i always had been avoiding making eye contact cuz of this i think .

[@2012BeyondtheWorld]

Shaving helps alot

[@aathsk1559]

My one side eyelash hair and eyebrow hair turned white due to trichotillomania suggest medicine

[@paulabastonseguros9600]

More than 25 years

[@judestevenson1151]

I hear you. You are not alone.

[@Tangentbordsblues]

Laughable that you thought this was a dark secret, we can trade

[@joannewall6359]

I have this

[@judestevenson1151]

You are not alone.

[@iooosef6006]

MY PARENTS HID ALL THE TWEEZERS FROM ME. EVERYTIME I BUY A NEW ONE THEY JUST CONFISCATE IT. AAAAAAAAAAAAA

[@judestevenson1151]

They just don't understand that "urge", right?!

[@sharylfernando693]

The spicy sword genetically scratch because yam unexplainably wreck afore a stiff bakery. petite, macho break