amy schumer revealed her trichotillomania to 'alleviate her shame'

amy schumer has long been open about her medical issues, speaking candidly about removing her uterus and appendix to relieve her endometriosis symptoms . and lately, the comedian and actress opened up more about a mental health condition she’s had since childhood: trichotillomania.

trichotillomania is a type of self-harm

trichotillomania is a kind of self-harm that involves the repeated, compulsive urge to pull hair from the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, or other body parts. people with the condition want to stop, according to the mayo clinic , but often feel tension or discomfort when they try to stop, and a sense of relief once they do it. but the relief tends to be short-lived, and is often followed by shame.

“some people pull to relax themselves,” houston-based psychologist dr. suzanne mouton-odum, who specializes in treating trichotillomania, told the american psychological association (apa). “some do it when they are bored. some pull when they are tired and want to energize themselves. across the board, they all say it feels good. it seems to have a soothing or calming effect.”

the behaviour often starts around age 12, according to the apa, and is most common in teens and young adults. about 75 per cent of people who have it are girls and women. it’s also more common in people with anxiety disorders or obsessive-compulsive disorder.

“i really don’t want to have a big secret anymore,” she told the hollywood reporter in march. “and i thought putting it in there would be good for me to alleviate some of my shame and maybe, hopefully, help others alleviate some of theirs, too.”

and in an interview with howard stern earlier this month, the comedian and actress spoke further more about her experience with trichotillomania.

two types of trichotillomania

at the end of the episode of “life and beth” that features trichotillomania, there’s a frame advising people to visit the tlc foundation for body-focused repetitive behaviors for further resources. in addition to hair-pulling, the foundation helps people with skin-picking disorders, destructive nail and cheek biting, and other behaviours. body-focused repetitive behaviours, the site explains, are often inherited, and are more common in certain situations involving specific combinations of age, temperament, environment, and family stress.

the tlc foundation has praised “life and beth” for its “accurate and respectful portrayal of a person experiencing trichotillomania,” the hollywood reporter pointed out . “our community is breathing a collective sigh of relief after having our behaviors mischaracterized and misinterpreted for so many years,” said the foundation’s executive director.

two to four per cent of canadians — that’s one to two million people — live with some form of a body-focused repetitive behaviour, according to huffpost canada , but there are likely many who have not been diagnosed.

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amy schumer revealed her trichotillomania to 'alleviate her shame'

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