You're Not Alone: The History of Hair Pulling and Celebrities Who Share Our Journey

If you’re reading this, you probably know how isolating hair-pulling can feel. But guess what? You’re not alone—not even close! Women just like you, including celebrities, are stepping forward to share their experiences with TTM. Let's dive into the history of hair-pulling and how some familiar faces have helped destigmatize it by speaking up.

A Look at the History of Hair Pulling

The term "trichotillomania" was first coined in the early 20th century to describe the compulsive urge to pull out hair. But the behavior has been around much longer. In ancient times, people didn’t understand what caused hair-pulling. Some even thought it had supernatural causes!
Today, we know better. It’s not about curses or myths; it’s a recognized emotional health condition, just like anxiety or depression.

Unfortunately, for a long time, trichotillomania didn’t get the attention it deserved. Many women were misdiagnosed or even dismissed by healthcare professionals, which only added to the shame and isolation.

But thanks to growing emotional health awareness and the brave voices of people sharing their stories—like yours—we are finally seeing real change. More and more women are finding the courage to seek help, share their experiences, and realize they’re not alone in this.

OCD and Trichotillomania: How Are They Linked?

You might have heard that TTM is related to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and for some women, that’s true. Like hair-pulling, OCD involves compulsive behaviors—things you feel driven to do even when you try to resist. OCD can feel like a spiral of fear, panic, and doubt, and if you’ve experienced it, you know how overwhelming it can be.

But here’s the thing: While trichotillomania is grouped with OCD in some medical manuals, it doesn’t always act the same way. Some treatments that work for OCD aren’t as effective for TTM, and the emotional drivers can be different. That’s why it’s important to find the right approach for you.

Celebrities and Chronic Hair Pulling: Famous People Have It Too

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It can be hard to imagine, but even celebrities who seem to have it all also have trichotillomania. The truth is, no group of people is immune to this condition—not even famous actors, singers, and performers. And some celebrities have bravely spoken out about their experiences, helping to reduce stigma and provide much-needed awareness for others like you and me.

  • Amy Schumer recently shared that she’s dealt with trichotillomania since childhood. Schumer revealed her journey in interviews and even wrote it into her semi-autobiographical Hulu series titled Life & Beth. Schumer has been open about how the condition has caused her embarassment, but by sharing her story, she hopes to help others feel less alone.


  • Olivia Munn has been open about her experience with trichotillomania, specifically pulling out her eyelashes. She has shared that this behavior is linked to her experience with OCD and helped raise awareness of TTM.


  • Charlize Theron admitted during a 2012 interview that she too has flare ups with TTM, helping to shed light on how common this condition is among creative individuals.


Knowing that these successful, creative people also face trichotillomania shows that this condition does not discriminate. Whether you’re a celebrity or not, trichotillomania is more common than people realize, and by talking about it, we can all help reduce the stigma.

In fact, 1 in 50 women will experience chronic hair pulling at some point in their lifetime.

Social Media: Sometimes, It’s a Platform for Healing and Support

In today’s world, social media has given celebrities and everyday people a powerful way to connect with others, share their stories, and offer support. Platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok have become spaces where women with trichotillomania can open up about their struggles and successes. Whether it’s through a heartfelt post or a candid video, these moments help build a community of women who are all working toward healing together.

You might find that connecting with others online in private support groups helps you feel less isolated. Sharing your own story—or simply reading others’—can be a powerful step toward understanding and managing TTM.

However, it’s important to note that a lot of misinformation and hurtful comments about chronic hair pulling happen on social media – especially in unmoderated support groups. So be sure to join a social media or private group that has a responsible moderator who does not allow bullying or misinformation to continue.

That’s one of the reasons why HFHP offers a private community to support women in a healthy, positive manner!

You Are Never Alone

If you’re living with chronic hair pulling, you might sometimes feel like no one understands what you’re going through. But trust us, you’re not alone. Millions of women around us are walking the same path, whether they tell you or not.

Whether it’s reaching out to a healthcare provider or finding support in a group like our HFHP community, you don’t have to do this on your own. That’s why we’re here. Join Us!

About HFHP

At Healing from Hair Pulling, we understand what it’s like to live with trichotillomania. Our health education programs and personalized action plans are designed specifically for women. Many of our team members have TTM, too, so we get it on a personal level.

Our guides will help you better understand your body and teach you simple strategies to manage your triggers, rebuild confidence, and start healing from the inside out.

Girl, It’s Time to UnTrick Yourself™

Looking for support? UnTrick Yourself™, our peer-led, evidence-based program, is here to help.

Through personalized action plans, a supportive community, and insights from women who have TTM too, we’ll guide you through lifestyle changes that reduce flare-ups and help you take control of your life. You deserve to feel empowered and supported every step of the way.

Join us at healingfromhairpulling.com and start your healing journey today.

Together, let’s find what works best for you!

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2020). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.).

Grant, J. E., Stein, D. J., Woods, D. W., & Keuthen, N. J. (2021). Trichotillomania and related disorders: Advances in research and clinical management.

Independent. (2022). Amy Schumer reveals she has hair-pulling disorder trichotillomania. https://www.independent.co.uk

People. (2022). Amy Schumer reveals she has the hair-pulling disorder trichotillomania. https://www.people.com/amy-schumer-hair-pulling-disorder

Shape. (2022). Amy Schumer on trichotillomania and the shame it’s caused her. https://www.shape.com/celebrities-mental-health-amy-schumer

IBTimes. (2012). Olivia Munn battles trichotillomania: Five celebs with OCD symptoms. https://www.ibtimes.com/olivia-munn
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