Actress Olivia Munn has opened up about her life-long battle with Trichotillomania, a mental condition commonly known as “hair-pulling disorder.” Dating actor Chris Pine from 2009 to 2010, Munn disclosed that it was around that time when her symptoms started to manifest. The challenges she faced were exacerbated by a traumatizing experience with paparazzi during that span.
Trichotillomania, whose history goes back to ancient Greece, was first clinically described in the late 1700s. What is trichotillomania? This debilitating disorder compels individuals to compulsively remove their own hair. If they persist with this habit into adulthood, they run a higher risk of developing irreversible hair loss. Munn’s frank testimony about her experiences highlights the dangerously compulsive aspect of the condition and its serious implications.
In a recent appearance on Dax Shepherd’s “Armchair Expert” podcast, Munn reflected on the shame around the disorder. She talked about the deep psychology that fuels the impulse. It might be hair on the crown of your head, she explained, because there is a very specific feeling. It’s likely not even actually happening, but I’ll be like, oh, this eyelash feels like it’s about to fall out. It’s a painful process, but it’s a rewarding process. When you shoot it, you get a little quick jolt of pain, just an instant transient. Then there is the satisfaction and the immediate regret.
Munn’s candidness about her health struggles goes beyond Trichotillomania. In 2024, she was diagnosed with Luminal B breast cancer. This diagnosis led to a series of major surgical procedures, double mastectomy, hysterectomy. These decisions were made to help prevent the debilitating fatigue that can occur with some cancer treatment drugs.
The actress has worked to raise awareness about the social stigma of having Trichotillomania and its effect on one’s self-image. She quickly learned that reading personal comments — including critical ones — serves as an emotional tripwire, sending her down a dangerous path. “I did the horrible thing, which was to read the comments,” she admitted, reflecting on how public perception can complicate living with such conditions.
Treatment of Trichotillomania usually takes a team effort with a primary care provider, dermatologist, psychiatrist, and licensed clinical psychologist. Finally, Munn recounts her experiences to help make the public more aware of this often-misunderstood disorder. She wants to inspire other young women who might be going through the same situation.
