Well, I did it.  One week (and counting) of being pull free.  I've only done this once before (see here) and I only made it a week.  So if I make it through today- it'll be the longest I've ever gone pull free.  I'm feeling a little more confident this time around... I think.  Maybe I'm just holding on to the NAC and praying it's some type of miracle!

On my very first post to this blog, I mentioned that I was inspired by another blog.  I wrote, "I was looking around on the Internet and came across a blog of a young girl in UK who was blogging about trichotillomania and how she has been pull free (I'd share the link to the blog here, but I honestly can't find it anymore). After reading a bit of her blog... I kinda just felt like- I can do this. So here I am. I'm trying to be pull free... and you can join me on the journey. My journey with trich."  

She really did inspire me to do this... And I've so bummed that I couldn't find her blog again (I couldn't remember the blog name, her name, or what words I was googling when I came across her blog).  Well, with it being Trichotillomania and Skin Picking Awareness Week, I've been looking up a lot of trich stuff online.  And I found the blog!  I found her!  So let me give credit to my inspiration... Rachel from Not So Trichy.  Rachel (if you ever read this), thank you for sharing your story and giving inspiration to others suffering from trich!

Thought I should mention- I'm two days pull free.  I won't say it's the NAC helping... it's probably a little too soon for that.  But with it being Trichotillomania Awareness Week and just starting the NAC- I have been trying really hard not to pull.  So it's been a lot of will power I guess.  Hopefully it'll get easier.  The longest I've been pull free is a week... so hopefully I can make it even further this time!  

Check out this great story that was posted in the Huff Post today- 
Trichotillomania: The Secret I'm Finally Letting Go.  
Thanks for sharing your story, Sandy, and bringing more awareness.

According to TLC, "Hair Pulling Disorder affects 2% of the population, Skin Picking may be as high at 12%: yet TCL knows of only 200 treatment providers in the US!"  Wow!!  It's not wonder that people feel alone and think that they are the only ones that have this problem.  The more we talk about... the more people will become familiar with it.  And hopefully more treatment providers will start popping up!

Want to help spread the word about trich this week (or anytime for that matter).  Check out this list of ideas... like sharing this PSA video with others:

Trichotillomania & Skin Picking Awareness Week

It's Trichotillomania & Skin Picking Awareness Week.  And it's totally a coincidence that I decided to start taking NAC today and really working on fighting the urges.  I knew this week was coming up, but that's not why I chose today (I honestly just like starting things on the first of a month, week, etc.).  And I think this coincidence is a good thing- might help give me a little more motivation.

Trichotillomania affects up to 9 million Americans.  And Skin Picking affects an estimated 12 million in the US alone.

So many people suffering in silence and feel alone.  But that doesn't have to be the case.  The more we educate people and spread the word...the more people will know about these disorders.  And I know- it takes a lot of guts to share something like this, but... you never know who you could be helping.  And if spreading the word is embarrassing, BUT it helps just one... isn't it worth it?!?  People shouldn't have to feel alone or ashamed.  Okay... not trying to pressure you too much into posting on your facebook or twitter accounts :)  But please consider spreading the word.  As TLC put it, "Let's Make Some Noise!"