Hi Holly! Nearly 4 in the morning, and I'm still awake, for some bizarre reason! I just saw that you joined the Trichotillomania Group, and I wanted to tell you that you're not alone! I've battled it for over 35 years, so I really understand. I'd be happy to chat more with you -- the mutual support is so wonderful. Hold you head up high and smile! Hope to keep in touch! Best wishes, Kathy

Hello and welcome, Holly!
How are you doing today?
LeslieAnn

Hi Holly! Since I work evenings, I'm more apt to be writing late, like I am now. I'm glad we connected, and here's the neat thing. In all the years I've dealt with this damn "thing", I have never, ever met or talked with ANYONE ELSE who has trichotillomania!!! The information I've read says that there are thousands and thousands of us --- but I don't know where everyone is hiding! I've never had a hairdresser who knew or understood my condition. Neither my primary care physician or therapist have ever met anyone with this condition. It's not easy to convince myself that I'm not a freak when there's never been anyone else to talk to about this, who truly understands! My best friend and my husband are wonderful and supportive. But now I really have a friend who totally understands!! It's taken me most of my life to accept this "thing", but I'm finally dealing with it. I could go on and on and on and on about my story, but I'll save the stories for another day. I hope your journey finds you at a place where you can just accept this and move on. Please keep in touch and let me know if I can help. Have a great day, Holly! Kathy

Hi Holly, I wanted to take this opportunity to welcome you to Alopecia World. I have been living with Alopecia Areata since 1991 and know full well the struggle it can be. I look forward to getting to know you. Cheryl, Co-founder

Hi, Holly. Welcome to Alopecia World! This is a great place for great people, so be sure to make your positive presence known. :-) - rj, Co-founder

Hey Holly! I loved seeing your pictures and reading your profile now that you've added them. Obviously I still haven't gotten around to adding a photo, but I'll do that soon. I can so totally understand your frustration and embarrassment and sadness. This "thing" that we have is so completely bizarre, and yet many, many people have it. I didn't talk about it for years and years --- only tried to hide it from everyone, including myself. In fact, Trich wasn't even given a name until many years after I'd started pulling. So, I really didn't have anywhere to go, or any information to read about it. I know there are a lot of books and theories that claim you CAN beat this thing. But for me, I devoted 35+ years, and the drugs, therapies, hypnosis, etc. before I made my drastic move. I've been shaving my head now for about 3 and a half months, and it's been the most liberating thing. But for me, I was pulling from all over my head and I just couldn't hide it anymore. I hope that for you, creative makeup and such will help you feel "normal" and less self conscious. From the photos you've shared, I think you look beautiful. I can suggest that you look up TLC (Trichotillomania Learning Center) as a fabulous support and wealth of information. Meanwhile, smile and be happy! I'm glad we're friends! Kathy

Hi Holly
Welcome to Alopecia World

Hey Holly! Hope you're having a great weekend. I'm still blown away that I actually know someone else who also struggles with "Trich". As I told you, I've NEVER known anyone else who has this, and in fact I seriously doubt if most people even know what the hell trichotillomania is. I'm glad you're having good days lately. I'm sorry your boyfriend doesn't seem to really "get it". I think that something as unusual as trich probably freaks some people
out. For many, many years my Mom would pick on me and scold me and I know that her lack of understanding is what prompted this. Still, I ended up trying to hide my condition from the world -- and myself. Anyway, I've read that there are many people who can manage their trich, but mine was just way too much, too big and too upsetting. So, this past summer my best friend in the whole wide world was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was told that she'd have to have chemo, and with that would loose all her hair. I knew that if she had to loose all her hair and deal with the ridiculousness of being bald, I wanted to do this with her. And so, on October 1st I shaved my head, and just 6 days later she lost her hair, too. Thankfully her prognosis is good. And amazingly, I've not regretted my decision for a single second. I'm finally able to understand that for me, it doesn't make any difference if I have hair or not. This Alopecia World has been wonderful, too. I've got a place I can talk freely, and honestly --- for the first time in my life about my hair issues. I'm glad you discovered this site,too, Holly. I hope and pray that your struggles with trich are ones you can get control over. Meanwhile, you've got friends who understand and support you and love you just the way you are! Enjoy the rest of your weekend! Oh, and by the way, be very happy you're not in Keene, NH right now. It was 20 degrees below zero this morning! YUCK. Take care, Holly!!