Amy Schumer Reveals She Suffers From Trichotillomania, A Condition That Causes Her To Compulsively Pull Out Her Hair

Amy Schumer

Amy Schumer Reveals She Suffers From Trichotillomania, A Condition That Causes Her To Compulsively Pull Out Her Hair

Actress-comedienne Amy Schumer recently opened up about her struggle with Trichotillomania.

Schumer will star as Beth, the main character in her new Hulu dramedy Life & Beth. Like Schumer, the character suffers from Trichotillomania, a condition that causes someone to compulsively rip out their hair.

On revealing her condition for the first time, Schumer said:

“I think everybody has a big secret and that’s mine. And I’m proud that my big secret only hurts me but it’s been what I’ve carried so much shame about for so long.”

As a child, Schumer’s father went bankrupt following a multiple sclerosis diagnosis. Shortly after, her mother entered an affair with her best friend’s married father. She began to pull out her hair to cope.

Although Schumer has learned to manage her urges, she explained that she still struggles:

“It’s not that I used to have this problem and now I don’t. It’s still something that I struggle with.”

The mother of one also said that she’s concerned about passing the condition onto her 3-year-old son:

“Every time he touches his head I’m having a heart attack.”

The Trainwreck star said that creating a character who shares her condition has helped her heal.

“When you deal with chronic, often invisible pain, it’s such an isolating sort of private journey,” she said. “You really have to advocate for yourself — and that’s what I’m doing here.”

What do you think about Amy Schumer talking about her condition on her new show? Leave us a comment and let us know.

[VIA]