What is Medium?
Medium is a publishing platform that allows anyone to create an account and start writing.
People can write about whatever moves them from opinion pieces, personal experiences and good old fashioned journalism.
Medium differs from any typical “magazine” style site in that it’s pages won’t contain adverts. Only original pieces directly from the writers themselves.
It’s free to use and is a great starting point for new writers, people who want an online portfolio of their work or anyone who just needs to be heard.
What is Trichotillomania?
Trichotillomania (TTM) is obsessive hair-pulling. That is a person compelled to pull out their own hairs usually from the scalp or face.
TTM mostly affects women and often starts during puberty or as a young adult.
Trichotillomania isn’t well-known and is even less discussed. TTM can be similar in it’s behaviours to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or body dysmorphic disorder (BDD).
People who suffer from trichotillomania carry a lot of guilt and often feel ashamed as it’s perceived as a self-inflicted condition. TTM sufferers will, therefore, try to hide the condition from other people.
“Why don’t you just stop?” is one of those ignorant questions that a TTM sufferer has to endure should anyone find out about their hair-pulling.
Treatments for trichotillomania usually involve cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
You can read my article on my personal journey with trichotillomania on Medium.