Woman's Hour

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Woman's Hour: Trichotillomania, Singer-songwriter Olivia Dean, Sexual harassment in schools

Trichotillomania, Singer-songwriter Olivia Dean, Sexual harassment in schools

BBC Radio 4 - Woman's Hour, Trichotillomania, Singer-songwriter Olivia Dean, Sexual harassment in schools

Trichotillomania and the secret shame of pulling your hair out.

Why do some women pull their hair out? We discuss what can be done to help those living with trichotillomania and stigma that is often attached to it.

Trichotillomania is often referred to as “hair-pulling disorder”.  There is little research in this area, but statistics suggest 1.1m people in the UK could have the condition, with 80% of them women.  Half of those never seek treatment.   What exactly is it?  Why do people do it? And what can be done to help them stop?  Clare MacKay is Professor of Brain Imaging at Oxford University.  She joins Nuala to share her personal experience for the first time, and discuss the academic review she is doing in this area.

According to a report by the Commons' Women and Equalities Committee, sexual harassment and sexual violence continues to be a scourge in schools, with many girls and women feeling powerless. The cross-party group of MPs is calling on the Government to focus on a specific strategy engaging boys in relationship, sex and health education lessons (RSHE) at school to help tackle the problem. 

Young singer-songwriter Olivia Dean, has collaborated with the likes of Loyle Carner and Leon Bridges, earning a reputation for her stellar live shows. She joins Nuala to discuss her recent Glastonbury performance, her inspirations and her debut album - Messy.  

'Smoke Sauna Sisterhood' is an award-winning documentary which follows a group of Estonian women over seven years. The film artfully captures every bead of sweat and every inch of skin as the women reveal their innermost secrets. Nuala is joined by the documentary's director Anna Hints, and cinematographer Ants Tammik, to discuss why they chose to capture such an intimate ritual.

Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Alex Webb

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