Abstract

As a person living with Trichotillomania (TTM), I pluck out excessive amounts of my hair for emotional relief.

Not much is known about TTM, a behavioural disorder and part of the OCD spectrum, and its causes. As such, cases are underreported as many feel the shame of coming forward with the issue. Not to mention the feelings of shame, anger and disappointment a hair puller feels over the their lack of control over their impulses impacting their social lives and mental health. Lastly, the lack of awareness about the issue also makes it difficult for research to be done on it sparking tensions between therapy methods and feelings of the patient.

In response to these limitations, my FYP aims to explore how an illustrated graphic memoir can offer an account my personal experiences living with the condition and to spread awareness and understanding on the condition.