I think admiting you have trich & pull your hair is the hardest thing a puller has to do. Telling people is definitely next on the list. Telling a parent you can’t control your own body is terrifying. Being worried they might reject you is awful. I’m sad to hear from other pullers that they’ve had just that type of experience. Considering how accepting my parents have always been, I can not even fathom how parents could act in a cruel manor towards their own suffering child. But if they don’t understand, they don’t understand.
Now we have an easy tool in our arsenal to help our parents, husbands, boyfriends, and even other family members learn about & understand our struggles. I’d love a version for mothers too!! Even if you have a good relationship with your parents, they know about your pulling, and are supportive, this is worth sharing.
Thanks to TLC for coordinating this project.
Hi,
Thanks for this link – it’s been really helpful so I’ll definitely keep it in mind.
I’ve been living with trich for over twenty years now and only in the past two years I’d decided to stop being in denial and do something about my hair pulling.
I’m now in therapy at University of Sydney CPU (they’re conducting research on trich).
My family knows I pull my hair out, but it had always been the elephant in the room. My parents especially never really understood trich – I don’t think there was even a name for it then – and I’d never told my parents my decision to stop pulling. After seeing this, it’s given me courage to speak to them…
Sending you pull free vibes
Marie.
Trich had a name 20 years ago, it is just that no one realized it was as prevalent as it really was because none of us talked about it! Thankfully, that has changed within the last few years. It helps to be open, at least for me. I started pulling 22 years ago and after the first few months it was never hidden from my family. As I got older & my parents weren’t in charge of my treatment, we talked about it less & less so it sort of became that elephant. However, since deciding I would be open & be an advocate, I just mention it in passing like I would if I had a toothache or upset stomach. It is part of my life. I haven’t responded to any of the treatments I’ve tried, so it is easier to just live with it and move on. I hope you’re able to find a comfort zone.