Sahil Bloom, Five Blind Men, an Elephant...and Trichotillomania

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Entrepreneur and inspirational writer Sahil Bloom recently shared a post and this image on LinkedIn highlighting some important insights which also resonate with the nuances of Trichotillomania. At Strands, we maintain that inspiration for growth can be found in a multitude of places and- this week- it was Sahil’s post which provided an avenue for deeper reflection.

Five Blind Men and an Elephant

Sahil Bloom shared the age-old parable where one day an elephant was brought to a village, and five blind men approached the elephant and began to touch and feel it to understand its nature.

1. The First Blind Man touched the elephant's leg and declared, "An elephant is like a great pillar!"

2. The Second Blind Man touched the elephant's tail and exclaimed, "No, you're wrong! An elephant is like a rope."

3. The Third Blind Man touched the elephant's trunk and said, "Both of you are mistaken. An elephant is like a thick tree branch."

4. The Fourth Blind Man touched the elephant's ear, he stated, "It's clear to me now. An elephant is like a big hand fan."

5. The Fifth Blind Man touched the elephant's side and confidently stated, "You're all incorrect. An elephant is like a massive wall."

The blind men each believed his own perspective to be the true and complete representation of the elephant.

Just like with Trichotillomania, our understanding is often limited by our unique perspective. This constraint can be intensified by the stigmatised nature of the condition, which means the open sharing of experiences between trusted friends and family is sometimes harder than it should be.

Perceptions and Realities: The Parable and Trichotillomania

1. Multiple Facets of the condition: Just as the elephant is multifaceted, Trichotillomania will manifest completely differently in individuals. Some might pull hair from their scalp, others from their eyebrows, eyelashes, or elsewhere (or a combination). The motivations and triggers will also vary—some will pull mostly when anxious, others when bored, and some might not even be aware they're doing it.
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2. Different Expert Perspectives: Professionals from different fields will have their own 'field of vision' and are likely to also approach trichotillomania differently- so treatment, support and the impact - and the resulting efficiency will often be inconsistent. That said, speaking to a medical profession is always advised and can be hugely beneficial so it’s always worth talking to a qualified doctor.
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3. Social and Cultural Views: Depending on cultural and social backgrounds, people view trichotillomania differently. Some might dismiss it as a bad habit, while others might categorise it as a medical or mental health disorder. Like the blind men who perceived the elephant differently, narrow perspectives on trichotillomania can lead to misconceptions and hinder people coming forward for support.
   

4. Treatment Approaches: Understanding that trichotillomania often can't be reduced to just one aspect (like the elephant isn't just its trunk or tail) means that the most effective treatment might require a more holistic approach. It may be that a number of strategies might all play roles in managing hair pulling, independently or in combination.
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5. Progression Journey: Just as each blind man's understanding was limited by his own experience, those with trichotillomania can have very personal and unique experiences with the disorder. What works for one individual might not work for another. Recognizing this is really important as whilst for some (fortunate!) people full recovery may be on the cards, for others- self acceptance or managing the condition and working towards progress rather than perfection is more appropriate.

As in the parable of the blind men which Sahil Bloom shared, they key takeaway is the importance of understanding trichotillomania from various perspectives, acknowledging its complexity and respecting eachothers' truth when they share their own version of the condition.

Encouraging others to be open to sharing their experiences and insights, even if they do not resonate with our own journey- can help us piece together a broader picture.

As Sahil says 'The world is much more complex than any of us can possibly understand.'

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