I've been a trichotillomaniac since I was about 11 years old, and I'm 23 now.

When I was a kid, it started when I got paranoid about head lice... I ripped out half my hair to make sure I didn't have any. I remember being super embarrassed and wearing hoods a lot because I had large bald patch on the top of my head.

Sadly, I've become "smarter" since then. I still pull every day, but I do it underneath where it can be easily hidden by keeping my hair down or pinning the back when I wear it up.

This still creates problems though, as I HATE getting hair cuts because they always ask me about it. I've also had to cut my hair short a few times to try and "start over" from an even length... but it never lasts. I find I do it when I'm bored (watching TV, sitting at my desk daydreaming) or when I become stressed.

Nobody knows though, not even my therapist. I'm pretty embarrassed about it.