Trichotillomania
Deanna Vinson
What is Trichotillomania?
- A type of impulse control disorder.
- People who know that they can damage by acting on impulses & can't stop themselves.
- People with this disorder have an irresistible urge to pull out their hair.
- Pulling of the hair, eyebrows & eyelashes
Causes
- There is no specific cause known, but it could relate to abnormal pathways in the brain.
- Which could link areas liked, emotional regulation, movement, habit formation & impulse control.
- Some people with trichotillomania could have depression or anxiety.
- Slight chance to run in the family.
Symptoms
Most people deny having problems, & cover it up by wearing hats, or anything to cover up.
- Tense feeling
- feeling relieved, satisfied or pleased after pulling hair.
- Problems at school or work.
- Bald spots where hair has been pulled
- Twirling hair
- Pulling hair between teeth
- Chewing or eating hair
Diagnosed & Treatment
- Based on presence of its signs & symptoms, no specific diagnostic.
- Referred to a psychiatrist or psychologist for interview of patients control disorder.
Treatment
- Behavior therapy called habit rehearsal training.
- Could help patient to identify when or where he/she has the urge to pull hair.
- Help them relax & do something other than pulling on their hair.
- Medications could help some people, but hair pulling could reappear.
Complications
- Infection
- Skin damage
- Permanent hair loss
These could lead to problems with self-esteem & body image. Could make them feel like the world is shutting them out.
Prevention
- Learning stress management
- Getting treatment as soon as symptoms occur.
- There's no proven way to prevent trichotillomania though.