Learning to live with Trichotillomania (Trich).
Many of you will have read 24-year-old Naheed’s amazing story on our website. If not, you can read it here.
Trichotillomania (commonly known as Trich) is a condition where people feel an irresistible urge to pull out their hair, usually from their scalp, eyelashes and eyebrows. It is often caused by negative emotions such as stress, anxiety, or depression.
Naheed’s inspiring story of living with Trich has struck a chord with many women.
However, Naheed’s story as it appears on our website is actually only part of an amazing interview, she gave to us and we really wanted the chance to share it with you in full.
We hope you find Naheed’s interview as inspiring as we did and do feel free to share using the social icons below, especially with anyone who is struggling to cope with hair loss.
How long have you been a Hair Solved client?
It’s been over two years now.
Before you went to Hair Solved did you try any other solutions or systems for your hair loss condition?
No not really. I tried loads of different organic shampoos, but nothing was working.
How did you find Hair Solved?
I was just looking around and doing my own internet research. That’s when I came across Hair Solved. I phoned up and spoke to a lovely lady called Laura.
She asked me if I’d like to come in for a consultation to see what they could do for me.
When did you first develop Trich?
I’d probably say when I was 15 or 16. At first, I thought it was just a phase I was going through, but I kept doing it more and more. After a couple of months, I decided to go and see the doctor.
Was it a shock when you first started pulling?
Yes, it was a shock because I knew it wasn’t normal. I was really embarrassed. I knew there was something wrong with me, but I didn’t want to admit it. I just thought ‘leave it, it’s fine, it will get better’, but it didn’t.
At that time, did you realise it was a genuine condition?
No. I had no clue. At the time I was going through other things in my life – depression and anxiety. I couldn’t stop pulling my hair and I just kept doing it and doing it. I was stuck in a cycle.
It may sound odd, but when the doctor told me that it was an actual condition, I felt relieved. At least I knew what it was. I remember thinking, ‘Right, I am not weird. I am going to have to find a way to manage it and deal with it’.
Was Trich affecting your day-to-day life?
Yes, absolutely. I was so embarrassed to go out. I used to wear scarves and headbands to cover my head. It started when I was 16 and I was at college, but I used to miss a lot of my classes and social things too. I ended up getting really depressed.
Did you feel there was anyone else you could talk to like friends or family or was it just too much of a taboo subject?
It was a taboo subject. I didn’t even want to touch on the subject with anyone. I just used to hide it with scarves and headbands.
There is a lot of stigma around this type of female hair loss. I think people are more understanding of something like Alopecia, because it’s hair loss that people can’t do anything about. But when you talk about pulling out your own hair… that’s something completely different.
Did people react differently to you when you lost your hair?
I tried my best to hide it, but my family did eventually find out and I remember them being very shocked. They just couldn’t understand what was wrong with me. They were forcing me to go to the doctor, but at that point I wasn’t ready to go.
How does it make you feel now that you have your hair system?
I feel like a different person. I just feel much more confident going out and I am always in work now, I never really miss a day unless I am really ill. The other day I went into work with my hair all tied up in a bun and I got so many compliments.
Does the system feel like it acts as a barrier to break the habit?
The pulling isn’t as bad as before.
Obviously having the system on means I can’t get to my head and my hair underneath.
I know that the Trich isn’t going to go away forever and there will be times when I still do it, but I don’t do it as much because of the system.
Has your Enhancer System helped to build your confidence back up again?
Definitely towards my family. They were the only people who knew about it. Nobody outside my house ever really knew because I was that embarrassed and I used to hide it.
Ever since I have had my hair system on it has been like a confidence boost. When I first had my system put on, my family were completely shocked. They just didn’t know what to say at first, apart from “Wow!”.
One lady said that her new hair system had “changed her life”. Can you identify with this?
When I first had my system put on, I actually cried in front of the stylist. I had felt so down for such a long time and suddenly I had a new confidence. Everything just changed from that day. It really is a life changer.
Obviously, it has helped with the depression and the anxiety, so it has really impacted positively on my mental health.
What do you like about the system?
The system feels so natural and elegant. It’s like a part of my life now and I’m very happy with it. I can wash it like normal hair, style it, wear it how I want to. I can just tie it up in a bun and off I go.
It’s just like having real hair and it’s so unique which is why I also love it!
Are there things you do now that you didn’t do before?
I do go to the gym on and off and I just feel so much more confident doing it. I could never do that before.
Finally, what would you say about your experience at a Hair Solved salon?
I always have the best experience at the salon. I am confident there is no stigma, and I can just be me. The staff love to have a chat, which creates a really relaxing atmosphere.
I always have the best experience at the salon. I am confident there is no stigma, and I can just be me.
We want to thank Naheed again for sharing her story and this wonderfully honest interview.
You can read more about Trichotillomania and how Hair Solved can help by visiting our Trichotillomania Explained page.