Trichotillomania: Compulsion to Pull Out Hair
Trichotillomania effects women more than men, at least as far as anyone knows. It's such an embarrassment for an adult to be afflicted with such a disorder that many people never come forward or seek medical attention. They just hide it and hope it will go away.
In children this condition is fairly common and goes away by adulthood. It's when it doesn't go away that it becomes an even bigger problem. It may be interesting to note that in children Trichotillomania is just as common in boys as in girls.
Hiding Hair Loss
When a man has Trichotillomania, he cuts his hair or gets a crew cut and no one thinks anything of it. When a woman has Trichotillomania she has to find other ways to cover up her condition. Cutting hair short is definitely an option, but too short and people will start to wonder what's wrong anyway.
A good looking hat can go a long way to making you feel better when you have trichotillomania. In the winter you just need a good warm hat to keep your head warm. In the summer you need something that will also keep the sun out of your eyes. Make sure it's stylish and matches what you're wearing or people will wonder, "why the hat?"
Wigs can help too. You can buy partial wigs at your local pharmacy or department store, you may need some bobby pins to hold them on though because they usually go one with a comb or a hair band. If your hair isn't long enough for either of these, then this may be a problem.
Going Into Remission
There is no sure fire cure for Trichotillomania, but you can stop. It's much like trying to quit drinking or smoking. You can stop, but you'll never be cured. It's a compulsion disorder and once you start, it's really hard to stop forever, but it can be done with perseverance and help.
First, if you have long hair and it bothers you, cut it. It doesn't matter that you've had long hair your whole life. If the hair is getting in the way of you living your life to it's fullest, get rid of it.
Second, seek medical attention. Get a psychiatrist and go see him at least once a month, once a week is better. Make sure this is an MD who can also prescribe medications, because you may need them. You may not, but being on the safe side makes life easier.
Get support from your family and friends. You're going to need the support to get through this. You're also going to need people to stand by your side and say, "don't do that, stop it!"
Who Are You?
You may think you know who you are. Think again. Something deep down inside you is making you pull your hair out. Something you may have forgotten about or something you don't remember at all. It's there though. That's what the doctor and the friends are for. Talk to them, maybe they'll help you discover what's bothering you so much.
Maybe you don't think you have a problem, you do. I'm sure that you wouldn't be pulling out your own hair if you didn't. It's not your fault, it could just be a chemical imbalance in your body. Get it fixed, you may want to consider medications. Don't be afraid of them. They just may save your hair.
Published by Linda Roeder
I have written for About.com since 1998 http://personalweb.about.com . I have also written the forward for a Web Design book and written blogs and articles for many other sites including Creative Weblogging,... View profile
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5 Comments
Post a CommentThis article is actually not all that helpful for those who suffer from this disorder. Spouting things like "Maybe you don't think you have a problem, you do. I'm sure that you wouldn't be pulling out your own hair if you didn't" seems to not only be self-aggrandizing, but also failing to see the point. The chances are very high that - if a person has found your site which talks about this disorder - then the person already knows they have a problem and IS seeking help with it.
For those who really do suffer with this disorder - it is an Obsessive COMPULSIVE (with the hair-pulling being the compulsion) disorder that can be treated in a variety of ways. Patients need to see a good Psychiatrist who can diagnose OCD and recommend medications to help control this disorder.
Good luck to all - and look elsewhere for really helpful advice.
Betsy, they probably have not idea what it is. When they saw the big word they were freaked out. Or they mixed it up with another big worded condition. Get a statement from your doctor explaining what it is and that it only affects your hair, and not your health. I'm sure it'll all work out.
I have had trichotillomanis on and off since I was 18. I don't consider it severe; I have received counseling but it helops in other issues but not directly wiht the pulling. I don't feel it makes me at all dysfuncitonal. I am a highly effecitve perosn, teacher, driven,hrdworking, mother of two healthy beautiful girls--no issues, also a runner and very fit. But I wa sjust denied met Lif einsurance! I am shocked. Is this a joke? Trichotillomania --is not life threatneing. What is up wiht this. I was denied for "severe trichotillomani" do they even know what it is? I wrote a book on it even. This is crazy. I am going to appeal this decision and maybe even go to court to fight this. has anyone hear dof this happening before? for really take much meds
Lets get rid of this ... all the best to people out there. god bless you, i believe when i could do this then so can u and i am sure u can do it.
try to apply band aids on ur both thumbs and trust me it helps i used to have the same problem but i have come over this. i applied band aid not just water proof one's since they fall out., once you put them on ur both thumbs u won't be able to create a grip of hair from ur hands and so that wways you wont b able to pull out ur hair. b: get a stress ball, c: wear gloves, d: get ur self involved in some creative stuff dont read for sometime since you will not know and might start to pluck, keep urself really busy. i did this all for a month and i have been able to come out of this and i kept myself busy with chatting on internet, paintings, drawing, exercise, dancing, and i ignored to be alone and told my friends that if you c me touchin my head stop it, since i have applied sum hair tonic.i suffered 9 years and have overcome this disease and i am sure each one of you can. make a friend and talk out things that's been bothering u, and take out all ur frustration or tensions thru workout