The Pulling

Adele Dumont's compulsive hair-pulling,trichotillomania,is a hallmark of the disease,with its origins in her late teens. The book explores the inner workings of a mind,how ritual can slide into obsession,and how close beneath the surface horror and darkness can lie.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 14 March 2024
Publisher: Scribe Publications

When Adele Dumont is diagnosed with trichotillomania — compulsive hair-pulling — it makes sense of much of her life to date. The seemingly harmless quirk of her late teens, which rapidly developed into almost uncontrollable urges and then into trance-like episodes, is a hallmark of the disease, as is the secrecy with which she guarded her condition from her family, friends, and the world at large.

The diagnosis also opens up a rich line of inquiry. Where might the origins of this condition be found? How can we distinguish between a nervous habit and a compulsion? And how do we balance the relief of being ‘seen by others with our experience of shame?

The Pulling is a fascinating exploration of the inner workings of a mind. In perfectly judged prose, both probing and affecting, Dumont illuminates how easily ritual can slide into obsession, and how close beneath the surface horror and darkness can lie.

Adele Dumont is a young woman who has been struggling with trichotillomania, a condition that involves compulsively pulling out her hair. She has been hiding her condition from her family, friends, and the world at large for years, but when she is finally diagnosed, it makes sense of much of her life to date. The seemingly harmless quirk of her late teens, which rapidly developed into almost uncontrollable urges and then into trance-like episodes, is a hallmark of the disease, as is the secrecy with which she guarded her condition from her family, friends, and the world at large.

The diagnosis also opens up a rich line of inquiry. Where might the origins of this condition be found? How can we distinguish between a nervous habit and a compulsion? And how do we balance the relief of being ‘seen by others with our experience of shame?

The Pulling is a fascinating exploration of the inner workings of a mind. In perfectly judged prose, both probing and affecting, Dumont illuminates how easily ritual can slide into obsession, and how close beneath the surface horror and darkness can lie.

Adele Dumont's journey with trichotillomania is a powerful and poignant one. She has been able to find solace and understanding in her condition, and her story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. The Pulling is a fascinating exploration of the inner workings of a mind, and it is a must-read for anyone who wants to better understand the complexities of mental health.

Weight: 256g
Dimension: 198 x 128 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781914484834