Trichotillomania
It is officially classified as an impulse control disorder,
along the lines of pyromania, kleptomania, and pathologic
gambling.
What are the Symptoms of Trichotillomania?
How and When Does it Start?
People often start compulsive hair-pulling around the ages of
12-13; although it is not uncommon for it to start at a much
younger or older age. Frequently, a stressful event can be
associated with the onset, such as: change of schools, abuse,
family conflict, or the death of a parent. The symptoms also may be
triggered by pubertal hormonal changes.
Does Trichotillomania Lead To Other Problems?
During adolescence, which is an especially crucial time for
developing self-esteem, body image, comfort with sexuality, and
relationships with peers of both sexes, teens may endure ridicule
from family, friends, or classmates, in addition to feeling shame
over their inability to control the habit. Therefore, even a small
bald patch can cause devastating problems with development that can
last life-long. Although many people with trichotillomania get
married and carry on with their lives in a normal fashion; there
are those who have avoided intimate relationships for fear of
having their shameful secret exposed.
What Is the Cause?
There is no certain cause of trichotillomania, but the current
way of looking at trichotillomania is as a medical illness. One
theory on a biological level is that there is some disruption in
the system involving one of the chemical messengers between the
nerve cells in parts of the brain. There may be also a combination
of factors such as a genetic predisposition and an aggravating
stress or circumstance; as with many other illnesses. Further,
trichotillomania could be a symptom caused by different factors in
different individuals just as a cough can be produced by a
multitude of different medical problems. Finding the cause(s) will
take more research.
What Is The Relation To Other Illnesses?
For many people with trichotillomania, there are symptoms of
obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) such as compulsive counting,
checking, or washing as well. There are so many similarities
between hair pulling and other compulsive symptoms that some
consider it a subtype or variant of OCD. This idea is supported by
the tendency for the two problems to run in the same families and
the fact that OCD medications can be helpful in treating
trichotillomania.
Depression also frequently occurs in individuals with this illness.
There may be a direct neuro-biochemical relationship and/or be
secondary to the chronic demoralization and low self esteem
hair-pulling can bring.
Other associated behaviors may include nail biting, thumb sucking,
head banging, or compulsive scratching. Frequently, hair pullers
also find they compulsively pick at their skin, which may also
cause physical and emotional scarring.
What Treatments Are Available?
The two methods of treatment that have been scientifically
researched and found to be effective are behavioral therapy and
medications.
Commonly used medications are:
For more information contact your local Mental Health
Association, community mental health center,or for additional
resources, please call 1-800-969-NMHA.
National Mental Health Association
2001 N. Beauregard Street, 12th Floor
Alexandria, VA 22311
Phone 703/684-7722
Fax 703/684-5968
Mental Health Resource Center 800/969-NMHA
TTY Line 800/433-5959
Obsessive Compulsive Foundation
337 Notch Hill Road
North Branford, CT 06471
Phone: 203-401-2070
Trichotillomania Learning Center, Inc.
303 Potrero #51
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Phone: 831-457-1004
