Trichster Sisters Interviews: Hailey

For BFRB Week, October 1st-7th, I wanted to highlight some of my awesome Trichster Sisters. I have been interviewing some of the girls to share their unique perspective and raise trichotillomania awareness. Here is 12 year old Hailey. When I was on a trip to Pennsylvania one year ago, I actually had the pleasure of meeting Hailey and her mom in person!

Meeting in person!

* How long have you had trichotillomania? What areas do you pull from?
Hailey: I've had it for four years, I started in 2016. I originally started with my eyebrows but then I ripped out all my eyebrows and then it escalated to my head. I started wearing headbands and then it got to the point where I wanted to shave my head to look like Eleven [from Stranger Things]. I mainly pull at just my hair, but sometimes my eyebrows, and my eyelashes if I have mascara on.

Hailey dressed as the character Eleven from Stranger Things

* What are some hard things about having trich?
H: The fact that a lot of times when I go to school and I have bald patches people ask me "what's that?" And I have to lie. When I do tell my friends about it no one really understands. I have to explain it and they don't understand.

* What are some good things about having trich?
H: Something cool about it is the fact that some people do think my shaved head is cool and they find it badass. And meeting you; you are the only person I know who understands.

* What would you say to other kids who have trich?
H: I would say to them that you aren't alone because I know that when I first found out that I had it I thought that I was alone and thought that I was weird.

* What do you wish people understood about trich?
H: I wish people understood that it's not that easy to control because a lot of people say "why don't you just not do it?" and they don't understand that it's not that controllable.

* Do you do anything to raise awareness for trichotillomania? If not, do you hope to in the future?
H: I don't but I'm going to soon. I'm thinking of making a video on tik tok.
~ Edit: after video chatting for the interview, Hailey has since posted some videos on her tik tok about trich and BFRB week! I am so proud of her for sharing her story and raising awareness!!!

* What are some things that you like about yourself? What makes you special?
H: A lot of people say that I am always there to help people out and I think that that's something special about me because I feel like kindness is hard to find these days. I like my face, my eyes and my lips are my favorite features.