BFRBweek 2015: Kimi
“Perfect” Is a Toxic Word Kimi Skokin I am a girl with trichotillomania and dermatillomania who works in a research lab dealing with eating disorders. In my first few weeks on the job, I’ve already come to notice a...
BFRBweek 2015: Jenny
I have Trichotillomania. Trichotillomania (Trich for short; also known as TTM or hair pulling disorder) is an impulse control disorder characterized by the compulsive urge to pull out one’s hair. I’ve had Trich ever since I was either 16...
One Size Does Not Fit All: Dealing With Multiple Disorders
I’ve come to believe it’s important to separate our disorders from one another. No, I don’t mean the segregation of trich from derm, or dissolving the BFRB umbrella term. What I mean is separating our disorders so that we...
Dealing With Summer Heat
Many of us with BFRBs know what it is to struggle through hot days. Summer comes along and while most everyone else is wearing shorts and t-shirts and styling their hair to fight the heat, BFRBers find themselves covering...
Creating a Self-Care Toolbox for BFRBs
Creating a self-care or coping toolbox for BFRBs can help us during particularly difficult times. Having a toolbox on hand will provide comfort and strategies to encourage positive thinking, and will prove to be an invaluable asset when you are having a rough day....
Guest Blog: Marianna’s Story
For as long as I can remember, my mum would tell me that I have been picking ever since I was born. I never sucked my thumb, I would pick. I started out picking my mum’s skin whenever she...
Guest Blog: Beth’s Story
She was about 12 years old the first time. She remembers looking in that mirror, trying to stop, but having no control. A process that has repeated almost every day since for the last 26 years. Open oozing wounds...
Dear Parents: On Relapse
Dear parents, I’ve seen your online posts and have heard stories from your children. I get it. You’re frustrated because you don’t quite understand and because you want the best for your child. You want your child to be...
The Different Facets of Recovery
When most of us think of recovery, we probably first think of it in terms of abstinence. Shows like Intervention and many different talk shows that feature people who are in recovery talk about an absence of substance use....
#BFRBcon 2015: the messages we heard
“BFRBs are not the enemy, they are the messenger.” -Dr. Renae Reinardy The above is just one of several quotations that had an impact on me at the Trichotillomania Learning Center’s annual conference. For the first time ever, CBSN...
Guest Blog: The Most Important Thing You Can Do Is…
Guest Blog written by Emma Bowers: Most of us who struggle with Trichotillomania and other BFRBs just want to know – WHY? Why me? Why can’t I just stop? Will I ever get better, or will I be this...
20 years and counting…and why that doesn’t suck
Twenty years ago, I was going on five years old. I wish I could say I had the hopes and ambitions of my future sparkling in my eyes while I went about life in a carefree manner, but I...
Guest Blog: Discovering Dermatillomania
This blog was submitted to us after the submitter, who wishes to remain anonymous, was sent a link to the recent post in the Calgary Herald. ——– Someone close to me, who is also a “picker” sent me the...
We Are Not Weak
We hate the words “just stop” because we know that if it were that easy we would do it. We know that if it were a simple matter of choice or effort that we wouldn’t be in the messes...
Breaking Down BFRBs – Katy’s Story
Last October we had a seminar in Toronto called “Breaking Down BFRBs”, we had several guest speakers who shared their personal stories with our audience. Here is Katy’s story: