Trichotillomania in The Testaments (book)

Let it be known that I scour the internet for books I can read and shows or movies I can watch that include BFRBs. I love it! When I came across a Reddit thread where someone mentioned that a character in Margaret Atwood's The Testaments had signs of trichotillomania I ordered the book without hesitation.

The Redditor did say that the mention of hair pulling was very slight so I didn't get my hopes up. Thank you, Redditor! But they weren't exaggerating as I secretly hoped there would be more....it was very slight.

This blog post may contain spoilers. Read with caution.

The first time hair pulling is mentioned is on page 49: "He was tugging at his hair, what was left of it—a sign that he was worried."

Okay! Is this the character with trichotillomania?

Page 54: "More hair-tugging."

Please don't let this be what they were talking about on Reddit.

Page 57-58: "To keep myself awake I pulled hairs out of my head, in behind my right ear, just two or three hairs at a time. I knew that if I pulled out that same hair too often I risked creating a bald spot, but I had only begun this habit a few weeks before."

OHHH! Okay, THIS is the character with trichotillomania. Okay, wow! I pull my hair out behind my left ear. This is great! Okay, representation!

Page 130: "I scratched my head all over and gave my hair a tug. Once when I had a headache I'd been told by Melanie that pulling your hair increased the circulation to the brain. She said that's why Neil did it."

Hmmm... not necessarily trichotillomania but still felt important to doggy ear this page.

Page 323-324: "Then she began pulling hairs out of the back of her neck. She said this helped her to think."

I also pull out my hair when I'm thinking deeply about things! Engaging in my trichotillomania does somehow clear my thoughts—at least that's what it feels like.

That's it! For the entire book!

Margaret Atwood was up to something when she included this character with trichotillomania because the details that are included, few as they are, are so close to the experience that she had to have consulted someone who has it! Or hey, maybe she has trichotillomania herself? What do you think?