More Than my hair

This short piece was created in 2022 during my masterclass at the CAMERA Torino in Turin Italy, in partnership with the International Center of Photography (ICP), New York. “More than my hair” is a short personal film that raises awareness on trichotillomania (TTM), or hair ripping syndrome, a condition that touches 1 in 50 people globally.

This disorder which falls under the classification of body focused repetitive behavior (BFRB). It involves recurrent, irresistible urges to pull out hair from your scalp, eyebrows or other areas of your body, despite trying to stop, resulting in noticeable bare spots on the scalp, face and body.

While individuals who develop trichotillomania typically engage in these behaviours to release tension, achieve a sense of relief, or generate gratification, they suffer from physical and emotional ramifications, that can create severe consequences affecting every aspect of their well-being.

This piece initiated a documentary, an ongoing project in Lebanon, exploring the effets of trichotillomania on women, in a society where physical appearance has always been a priority, even more so now, given the country’s critical economic context.

If you would like to know more about my ongoing project on trichotillomania, please contact me here.