In today’s episode, we speak with journalist, presenter, and author Rachel Johnson about a condition she has never publicly shared before: Trichotillomania - often referred to as TTM, “trich,” or simply “pulling.”

One of the questions Rachel reflects on is whether this condition is hereditary - given that both her mother and one of her children have also experienced it - or whether it may be learned through observation and environment. Trichotillomania is often grouped within the spectrum of obsessive-compulsive related disorders, though people develop it for a variety of complex reasons.

It’s a condition I knew very little about before this conversation, and one I found genuinely fascinating to explore. What intrigued me most, however, was Rachel’s long-standing and very public relationship with her hair. She has written about it multiple times and is, in many ways, known for it. That naturally raised questions for me about the subconscious and often complicated relationship she - and perhaps all of us - have with our hair.

Hair plays a powerful role in how we see ourselves. It’s closely tied to identity, image, personality, and can be a deeply visual marker of ageing, health, and illness.

We also touch briefly on Rachel’s upbringing, and whether that may - or may not - have influenced her experience of the condition.

I’m incredibly grateful to Rachel for coming on the podcast.

*

If you like what you hear, it would be so appreciated if you could rate, review and subscribe - we love hearing your thoughts and feedback. So tell us what you think!

*

Created | Hosted | Produced by Angharad George-Carey

Mastered and Compressed | by Ian Graham

Artwork | by Silvy Weatherall

*

WATCH US on YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/@somethingiveneversaid

FOLLOW US on INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/somethingiveneversaid

WRITE TO US on EMAIL: [email protected]