TSW. Trichotillomania. Books. Life.

Don't. Give. Up.


This time last year I was practically housebound, I hadn't seen any of my friends since July 2013 and didn't have a clue what the future would hold. If I could tell the me of a year ago that by this time next year she'd be moving back to London, have seen her friends lots and have better skin than she'd ever had in her life, she would never have believed it ... but guess what? It all came true! When you are suffering, you can't imagine ever getting better and experiencing life again - but you do. Please don't give up. This is coming from someone who spent 26/27 months suffering from this debilitating condition.

I remember when I was in the hard stages of withdrawal, I was desperate to see people who had recovered telling me that it does get better. Well, I have recovered and I am telling YOU that it DOES get better. It may take longer than it took me - it may take you less, but something we all share is the fact that we ALL get there in the end. I am not telling you for a fact that I won't flare again (hello approaching winter), I'm just saying that it's all part of the process and I am going to live life to the fullest while I can. I am stronger for having gone through TSW and I have changed as a person for the better too. Thank you ITSAN and those wonderful few blogs I read that changed my life. I could not be more grateful.

Right, that's enough from me as I'M OFF TO LONDON IN A COUPLE OF HOURS!

I'll be back with another blog post soon ... FROM LONDON!!!
Cara xxx

The many symptoms of withdrawal: Puffy & swollen skin


Here is the final post in my mini series highlighting the many symptoms of withdrawal. Today I thought I'd focus on the puffy and swollen skin/oedema. My eyes really took a bashing and I thought with such severe swelling on my eyelids, they would never recover - but they did, and it's like nothing ever happened. The skin is capable of such miraculous things.

I hope you have found this series useful. I am glad to have a home for the plethora of photos I have taken over my withdrawal and it's fantastic for me to look back on this and see just how far I have come.

To anyone reading this post, remember you WILL get better.

Big hugs
Cara xxx


*No filters on any of my photos.








Other posts in the series:
Elephant skin (Before and after) - here
Hair loss (Before and after) - here
Dry & cracked skin - here
Weeping skin - here
Red skin & sleeves - here
Your mental health - here
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