My Battle With Trichotillomania-Personal Narrative

Support System: I woke up to hands around my neck, choking me. As I abruptly opened my eyes and grasped for air, I came to the conclusion that there wasn’t anyone there. I spent the whole night concentrating on staying awake, so I wouldn’t die in my sleep. I couldn’t believe that “it” came back, and “it” was my anxiety. This was a panic attack brought on by anxiety and it was the worst attack I ever experienced. It had never woken me out of sleep before in such a chilling way. I didn’t want this to dominate me anymore, like it always did, with the on and off switch that it had on my life. I wanted to fight this, as well as my depression. Without the support of my empathetic family, medications and psychotherapy, I wouldn’t be alive today. …show more content…
At age twelve I began my battle with Trichotillomania, which is the urge to pull your hair out from your scalp. It’s a type of impulse disorder that soothes and calms me down when I’m feeling anxious and stressed. I saw a show with a woman with Trichotillomania and how strange it was seeing her pulling her hair out the same way I did. This woke me up. I stopped pulling but it seemed too late, a substantial amount of my hair was gone. My family started to notice and the kids at school did as well. I’ll never forget the moment when my mom took a look at my balding head, and said “Marissa! What have you done to …show more content…
Currently, I’m taking medications for my depression, but I’m trying to remain patient because I know it takes time. Also, I started psychotherapy which I’m really excited about because I desperately need it. I finally feel that there is hope for me. I’m thankful that my mom and family are accepting of my mental issues and always gave me the support I needed. It is important to have a strong support system, like family, when facing mental disorders, depression and anxiety because the person suffering should not have to go through it