Interview 17: Trichotillomania and BFRBs

Olga’s Story

1.26.26 | Interview | 43 min

Hair pulling is one of those mental health struggles we rarely talk about, partly because so few people understand it, and partly because shame keeps it hidden.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Olga Cirlugea, a licensed clinical psychologist who shares her personal experience living with trichotillomania (hair pulling disorder), a Body-Focused Repetitive Behavior (BFRB). While Olga brings clinical insight, this conversation centers on what it’s actually been like for her: when it started, how it’s shifted across different seasons of life, and the sensory, self-soothing “ritual” that can make hair pulling hard to explain to others.

Olga opens up about the impact of stigma, what it meant to finally receive compassion from others, and how acceptance has been just as important as behavior change. She also shares what has helped her manage trichotillomania over time, including building awareness, tracking patterns, using fidgets and replacement tools, attending support groups, and focusing on the underlying emotions driving the urge to pull.

Trichotillomania / BFRB resources mentioned:

• TLC Foundation for BFRBs: https://www.bfrb.org/

• International OCD Foundation (BFRBs): https://iocdf.org/bfrb/ 

• TrichStop: https://www.trichstop.com/

Music Credit: Nathan Byrne with Reel Byrne Media.