Trichotillomania

“Trichotillomania (TTM, also known as trichotillosis, or more commonly as trich) is defined as "hair loss from a patient's repetitive self-pulling of hair" and is characterized by the repeated urge to pull out scalp hair, eyelashes, facial hair, nose hair, pubic hair, eyebrows or other body hair, sometimes resulting in noticeable bald patches. Trichotillomania is classified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) as an impulse control disorder, but there are questions about how it should be classified. It may seem, at times, to resemble a habit, an addiction, a tic disorder or an obsessive–compulsive disorder.” (Wikipedia)

Trichotillomania leads to severe and noticeable hair loss, distress, and social or functional impairment", and is "often chronic and difficult to treat". Trich can present as early as infancy but peaks between the ages of 9 to 13. Depression, anxiety, obsessive–compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and stress are common triggers for Trichotillomania. Many with Trichotillomania hide their disorder due to the social implications and embarrassment so it is hard to give a reportable prevalence of this disorder.

Part of the criteria in diagnostician Trichotillomania is an increasing sense of tension before pulling the hair and gratification or relief when pulling the hair. However, some people with Trichotillomania do not even realize they are pulling their hair, that after time it becomes habit or ritual.

Trichotillomania is usually "confined to one or two sites", but can involve multiple sites: "the scalp is the most common, then eyebrows, eyelashes, face, arms, legs, and pubic hairs". Children are less likely to pull from areas other than the scalp. It has been noted that the higher the stress level of a person with Trichotillomania, the more pulling they do.

Psychological effect can be low self-esteem, increased isolation, and increased depression. Medical complications that can result from Trichotillomania are infection, permanent loss of hair, repetitive stress injury, carpal tunnel syndrome, and gastrointestinal obstruction as a result of trichophagia. Trichophagia is when people with trich also ingest the hair that they pull.

Treatment is approached based on the age of the patient. Parents are counseled to ignore the behaviors in pre-school age children, as these children frequently outgrow it. In pre-adolescents to young adults, establishing the diagnosis and raising awareness of the condition is an important reassurance for the family and patient. Non-pharmacological interventions, Habit Reversal Training, including behavior modification programs, may be considered; referrals to psychologists or psychiatrists are considered when other interventions fail. When Trichotillomania begins in adulthood, it is often associated with other psychiatric disorders, and referral to a psychologist or psychiatrist for evaluation or treatment is considered best. The hair pulling may resolve when other conditions are treated. Medications may also be used, especially when there is dual diagnosis.


If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/

Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow