Actress Olivia Munn is speaking openly about living with trichotillomania, a lesser-known mental health condition that causes repetitive hair pulling, shedding light on a deeply personal chapter of her life.
During a recent episode of the “Armchair Expert” podcast, hosted by Dax Shepard and Monica Padman, Munn revealed how the condition began and how it has impacted her over the years.
“It could be hair at the top of your head… or an eyelash that feels like it’s going to come out,” she explained. “There’s a quick second of pain, followed by satisfaction—then regret.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, trichotillomania is a condition defined by compulsive urges to pull out hair from the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, or other areas of the body. It is often associated with anxiety or stress.
Sparked by Online Scrutiny
Munn traced the origin of her condition back to an experience with paparazzi during her brief relationship with actor Chris Pine, which began in 2009. After photos of them leaving his apartment surfaced online, Munn admitted she made the mistake of reading public comments.
“They were saying things like, ‘I think she set this up,’” she recalled. “That began my trichotillomania. That was the very beginning.”
The episode marked one of the first times Munn has publicly linked the condition to that moment of online criticism and scrutiny.
Health Challenges and Personal Strength
Munn’s openness about trichotillomania comes amid a broader conversation about her health. In 2024, she shared her diagnosis of Luminal B breast cancer, a type of cancer found in both of her breasts.
Her treatment included a double mastectomy, and in May 2025, she revealed undergoing a hysterectomy as part of her cancer care. Munn chose the procedure to avoid the side effects of a cancer treatment drug that caused severe exhaustion.
“It was the best decision for me because I needed to be present for my family,” she said in an interview with Vogue earlier this year.
Advocating for Awareness
Munn has been increasingly vocal about the importance of mental and physical health, encouraging fans to seek help and remain honest about their journeys. Her candidness about trichotillomania aims to break stigma and build empathy for those quietly managing the condition.
As she continues her recovery and advocacy, Munn is using her platform to shed light on experiences often left unspoken—bringing visibility to both mental health and cancer survivorship.
