(If you're reading this before 12pm EST you still have time to register for my screening & discussion of Trichster! Click here!)
Like many people in the body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRB) community, I NEVER saw anyone else like me in real life, and especially not in the media. Because of that, many people in the community don't know they are living with a chronic disorder that has a name. They attribute their behavior to a "weird habit" that they will hopefully "grow out" of. They might not even consider seeking help or finding resources because, Resources for what? This quirky thing I do?
People who do know there is a name for their behavior can be, and often are, fearful of sharing their experience with others. They've probably never heard of it anyway. I don't want to be judged or made fun of. They're going to think I'm a freak. So it makes sense that we wouldn't see much representation because no one talks about it. You can imagine the reaction when Trichster by Jillian Corsie entered the scene in 2015.
Trichster follows seven different people with trichotillomania, showcasing their experience with the disorder. These were people of all ages and from different parts of the world yet they had the same thing in common: they had an irresistible and uncontrollable urge to pull out the hair from their body. This was the first time that many people saw someone on the screen that looked just like them. Filmed in a way that was respectful, eye opening, and accurate to the disorder. It changed lives for the better and forever.
What instantly blew my mind was how similar my experience was with members of the cast. Things that I may have only admitted to my therapist were spoken about freely and for millions of viewers. How many times did I think to myself that no one else in the world did what I did? How many names did I call myself because of that? Only to learn that I wasn't alone after all.
Now don't get me wrong, I didn't relate to everyone's experience. That's a good thing! Trichotillomania, to an extent, is unique to each person. Although I was able to relate to others while watching, there were people that I couldn't relate to and that opened my eyes. I was able to learn more about a disorder that had been with me for most of my life.
Something Corsie did that I appreciated, without giving too much away, was that she not only filmed about their trichotillomania but their regular day-to-day lives as well. Their families. Their talents. Yes, the theme throughout the documentary was living with trichotillomania but Corsie was also showing the world that trichotillomania doesn't have to define you. You can live any life you want. You can do hard things.
If you have trichotillomania, if someone you love has trichotillomania, or if you're just curious, it is time to watch this documentary.
Stay tuned for Jillian Corsie's episode on Trich Talks. Coming soon.
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