Trichotillomania

Trichotillomania

Trichotillomania is a hair pulling disorder. It is a mental disorder that involves an irresistible urge to pull out hair. This disorder is a type of impulse control disorder, impulse control disorders are a type of mental illness that involve the repeated failure to resist impulses, or urges to act in ways that can be dangerous or harmful. People with this disorder know that they can hurt themselves or others, but they cannot stop themselves. The most common areas for hair pulling are the scalp, eyelashes, and eyebrows, but may involve hair anywhere on the body. Constant hair pulling can cause abrasions and other damage, including infections to the skin on the scalp or the specific area they are pulling their hair from.

 Some signs and symptoms of this disorder are:

·         Inability to resist urges to pull out one’s hair

·         Mounting tension before pulling

·         Gratification and relaxation when pulling

·         A feeling of relief after pulling

·         Noticeable hair loss

·         Interference with everyday life

·         Chewing or eating pulled out hair

·         Playing with pulled out hair

Trichotillomania is a relatively rare illness, affecting more than 1% of the population. This disorder can affect people of all ages, but it appears to be more common in children and young adults rather than adults. Children or young adults may begin pulling hair after difficulty with family or problems with friends. People with this disorder may get some type of pleasure by pulling out their hair, but in the long run they usually feel frustrated and embarrassed. Most people with trichotillomania pull enough hair that they have bald spots on their heads. Others may be missing eyelashes or eyebrows, pubic, underarm, beard, and chest hair. Because of hair loss it may lead people to avoid swimming, haircuts, and windy weather. People with trichotillomania may wear wigs, style their hair to disguise bald patches, or wear false eyelashes. Eating hair may lead to a large matted hairball in the digestive tract. Over a period of years the hairball can cause weight loss, vomiting, intestinal obstruction, or even death.