Trichster

Trichster is a compelling feature-length documentary that premiered in 2015, highlighting a significant but relatively unknown mental health issue – Trichotillomania. This movie stars Rebecca Brown, Greg Clements, and Meredith Druss and shines a spotlight on a disorder that's often hidden in secrecy and shame.

Trichotillomania, often referred to as Trich, is a hidden plague that affects approximately 1% of the worldwide population. It is a disorder where individuals compulsively pull out their hair from any part of their bodies, leading to noticeable hair loss, distress, and social or functional inferences. Directed and produced by Jillian Corsie, Trichster boldly steps into a silent void to share the stories of those grappling with this confusing and misunderstood body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRB).

The film opens a conversation about Trich and aims to give a voice to a marginalized group frequently unrecognized or misinterpreted by society. It follows seven individuals over the course of one year, documenting their daily challenges as they each cope with Trichotillomania. The documentary adds a deeply personal touch by diving deep into the lives of these individuals, their struggles with the disorder, and their efforts to cope with, treat and ultimately overcome Trich.

One of the stars of the film, Rebecca Brown, is a popular YouTuber known as "Beckie0." Her inclusion is significant as she has been vocal about her struggles with Trichotillomania on her YouTube channel, making her a key figure for many with the disorder. Brown divulges her personal struggle openly, giving a window into her life, treatments, and the impact of hair-pulling on her mental health and self-esteem. The keen insights of Greg Clements and Meredith Druss also help lift the veil on Trich, adding different viewpoints and dimensions to this multifaceted problem.

Across the stories presented in Trichster, there is a strong emphasis on the multi-faceted impacts of life with Trichotillomania. The documentary confronts the social stigma around hair pulling, the impact on mental health, personal relationships, self-image and the struggle to find help. Subtopics like low public awareness, misdiagnosis, ineffective treatments, and the need for specialized support are sensitively handled, with a clear call to actions from viewers and the medical community as a whole.

A major strength of Trichster lies in its delicate balance between personal stories and the larger picture of the disorder. Jillian Corsie has artfully managed to demonstrate the profound impacts of Trichotillomania on the lives of everyday individuals, while also including expert views from therapists, psychologists, and researchers studying the disorder. This approach extends the reach and potential impact of the film. It simultaneously offers comfort to those suffering from Trichotillomania, solidarity for their loved ones, and education for those who are unaware of the disorder.

The documentary does not shy away from the painful reality of Trich. However, it counterbalances this with a focus on resilience and the sense of community among those living with the disorder. It emphasizes that, despite the challenges, Trichotillomania does not define those who suffer from it. The film mainly provides viewers with hope by highlighting the tremendous courage of those living and thriving with Trich, in addition to efforts to increase awareness and understanding.

Trichster is thought-provoking, moving, and deeply human. It provides a much-needed platform for discussion on Trichotillomania and introduces audiences to a candid view of the disorder that is not typically in mainstream awareness. This documentary belongs to the genre of films that are as educational as they are emotionally captivating. It sensitizes viewers to the world of Trich sufferers, advocates for increased visibility of the disorder, and ignites a crucial conversation around mental health issues that are often unseen and misunderstood.

In conclusion, Trichster is a compelling story about human strength, vulnerability and the tenacity of the human spirit. It uncovers the real-life struggles and victories of people living with Trichotillomania, while urging society to break away from the stigma associated with mental health issues. The movie is a powerful call to empathy, understanding, and action, making it a poignant and important watch.