Indianapolis' WISH-TV ran this short story on National Trichotillomania Week, Trichotillomania, Hair Pulling Disorder, a Psychological Ailment. You can watch this short overview that focuses on fellow puller, Vicki Sutton's experience on their web site. I only wish that the suggestion hadn't been so strong that medication was the only answer for those of us suffering from trich.

Recently there have been a quite a few comments from hair-pullers that have only just discover this website and TLC. I know from my own experience what an amazing discovery this is, just knowing that there are other people out there dealing with these same issues.

For everybody seeking help and looking for help, I urge them to visit the main TLC website www.trich.org, join TLC and reach out by calling TLC at 831-457-1004 or by emailing info@trich.org. I know from my own experience getting involved with TLC and connecting with other hair-pullers has greatly helped reduce my urges to pull. Please know that pepole do get better, and there is hope!

Last Saturday, as part of All Join Hands Week, the San Francisco support group hosted an amazingly successful screening of the trichotillomania documentary film, Bad Hair Life. About 35 pickers, pullers and people in support came and we raised $250 for TLC and sold 3 DVD copies of the film. Many people commented that having the screening at the San Francisco Buddhist Center was wonderfully appropriate. I had seen the film several times before, but seeing it with all those people was still quite emotional at times. After the screening, myself, Erin and Vicky all shared some about our own personal experiences with trich and opened it up for questions and answers. Then we broke up for social time and nibbled on some snacks. Talking to people who hadn't seen the film before seemed very touched seeing a wider diversity of experiences with trich and how fundamentally trich has affected all our lives.

Beyond the screening, I also got some very lovely emails of people regretting that they couldn't make it and some inquires if we might show the film again! Way to go for our first year in helping spread awareness and we're already looking forward to next year!

Last night TLC issued our official press release on National Trichotillomania Awareness week and this morning I found that Yahoo News had picked it up. For the full text see First National Trichotillomania Awareness Week, October 1-8, 2006, Provides Help and Hope for Hair-Pullers but it starts out

To break the silence around trichotillomania (compulsive hair-pulling), a disorder that affects millions of Americans, the Trichotillomania Learning Center (TLC) is pleased to announce All Join Hands, the first national trichotillomania awareness week, taking place October 1-8, 2006. Already, more than 60 communities around the country have scheduled events, including Minneapolis, Atlanta, New York, Houston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Pittsburgh. Two states, Michigan and South Carolina, have issued State Proclamations honoring the event and urging citizens to learn more.

Just wanted to direct people to this lovely blog posting from Jill in Vancouver.

..there's a good chance you may know someone who does. Maybe you do it yourself and you never noticed. Maybe you've seen someone do it. Or maybe you just know someone and don't know they have Trich because they're scared to tell you. Trich can cause harm to people's self esteem and quality of life. People left to hide the disorder in shame and fear of embarrassment. So, its National Awareness Week and people should know about trich.

I particularly like her advice to people saying "I could pull my hair out!"

...think twice before saying that again, you may be talking to someone who has Trich

Friday, the research team at the Duke Center for Human Genetics released evidence that they've found a connection between a mutation in the gene SLITKR1 and Trichotillomania. The story was picked up by a number of new services including MSNBC and FOX News. Great timing for All Join Hands to have Trich in the news!

• MSNBC


• FOX News


• LiveScience.com