Trichotillomania: Hair-Pulling Disorder that Many People Suffer From

Trichotillomania, according to mayoclinic.com, is a disorder that is characterized by an irresistible urge to pull one's hair out from their scalp, eyebrows, and other parts of the body. Hair is something that we all notice about another person, and often times, we associate hair with beauty. Trichotillomania can be emotionally painful for the person suffering from it because they will often feel ugly due to the bald patches where they have pulled out their own hair. When a person has a mild case of trichotillomania, it can normally be managed pretty easily, but, when the case is more severe, the person has the overwhelming and uncontrollable urge to pull out their hair. Currently, there are treatments that can help a person who suffers from trichotillomania to reduce or even stop the urge to pull their hair.

Those who suffer from trichotillomania may display specific signs and symptoms to clue another person that they are suffering. A bald, patchy area on the scalp of other areas of the body is an indicator that the person may have trichotillomania. They may have eyelashes or eyebrows that are barely there or missing entirely, they may chew on or even eat the hair that they have pulled out; playing with hair that they have pulled out or rub it across their lips and face. According to mayoclinic.com, the most common area that a person with trichotillomania pulls hair from is their scalp, especially at the crown. The result of pulling hair at the crown is known as a Friar Tuck sign; a balding area surrounded by a little fringe of hair. The person may also pull the hair from their arms, legs, eyebrows, eyelashes, even their pubic area; anywhere there is hair on the body, a person suffering from trichotillomania may pull hair.

A person who has trichotillomania can be completely aware of what they are doing and do it intentionally. These people can even develop routines and rituals for their hair-pulling. Others who suffer pull their hair without realizing that they are doing it.

The causes of trichotillomania are not completely known. According to mayoclinic.com, researchers feel that there are probably both genetic and environmental factors involved. Genetically, it is believed that a mutation in the gene known as SLITRK1 is linked to the disorder, as well as to Tourette syndrome. Other studies have shown that there may be a chemical abnormality in the brain chemicals serotonin and dopamine that are contributing factors to trichotillomania.

There are factors that are believed to place a person at a higher risk of developing trichotillomanaia. Trichotillomania tends to run in families, therefore; if there is one family member who suffers, it is likely that someone else will develop the disorder. Trichotillomania tends to develop in adolescent years and is often a life-long problem once it begins. Around the age of twelve, it has been known to be triggered by a stressful or traumatic event in the person's life. Things like moving, changing schools, or a death in the family are often triggers. Another trigger is believed to be hormonal changes that begin with the onset of puberty. A child under the age of five may engage in hair-pulling, but at this age, trichotillomania is generally mild and will go away without treatment. At a younger age, hair-pulling is common when a child is tired, in older children; it is a way to relieve stress. Trichotillomania affects both boys and girls, however; there are more reported cases for girls. According to monoclinic.com, this is believed to be because more girls seek treatment than boys. There are some people who do not like the color or texture of their hair, and this is also a risk factor for the development of trichotillomania. It is also believed that a person who experiences negative feelings, such as stress, loneliness, and frustration are also at a higher risk of developing the disorder because they pull their hair as a way to gain control over those emotions, others feel that when they pull their own hair, it feel satisfying to them and for these people, it is a form of positive reinforcement.

To many, trichotillomania may seem to be pretty a pretty harmless disorder, however; continually pulling one's hair out can lead to complications. Constantly pulling out one's hair can damage the hair follicles and cause the hair to not be able to grow normally. It can also cause scrapes and other damages to the scalp and skin. The repetitious movement of pulling out hair can also cause carpal tunnel syndrome. When a person eats the hair they have pulled out, they can develop hairballs. Hairballs can cause weight loss, vomiting, and even a blockage in the intestines which can lead to death. Some people who suffer from trichotillomania find that their lifestyle is greatly restricted. They are often embarrassed and as a result, they avoid going in public. Some wear wigs to try to cover up the bald patches and the disorder, some wear false eyelashes or eyebrows. Some people will fear being in a relationship because of the fear of a partner finding out about their disorder. There are some people who learn to live with the disorder without shame or feelings of embarrassment. Trichotillomania can also cause the person who is suffering to have low self-esteem, feel humiliated and embarrassed. Sometimes, these people fall into a depression, and there are some who contemplate suicide.

Seeking help if you think that you or a loved one is suffering from trichotillomania is very important. Before seeing a doctor, there are some things that you should be prepared with to make the appointment easier. You should write down all of your symptoms, even if you do not feel that they are related to your problem of hair-pulling. The reason for this is because trichotillomania can cause both physical and psychological symptoms. Try to take note of what things trigger your hair-pulling and how you have tried to deal with it yourself, also include whether or not your coping mechanism helped. Write down any and all personal information you can think of, including anything that has recently happened in your life, and whether or not trichotillomania runs in your family. Write a list of any and all medications that you are taking, including how often, how much, and how long you have taken the medication. Lastly, if there are any questions that you think of that you want to ask your doctor, write them down too so that you do not forget when you are in the doctor's office.

To diagnose trichotillomania, your doctor will perform a complete evaluation, including tests to determine the damage to your hair follicles and how it happened. Chances are you will also be referred to a mental health specialist.

Certain criteria must be met for the doctor to diagnose trichotillomania. According to monoclinic.com, there must be repeated pulling out of the hair that results in noticeable hair loss, such as visible bald spots or patches. The person must feel a sense of increasing tension before the begin pulling their hair, or tension when they try to resist pulling their hair. The person must get pleasure or feel a sense of relief from pulling their hair, yet, the hair pulling must cause the person significant distress. The hair pulling cannot be attributed to any other dermatological or medical problem.

Treatments for trichotillomania are psychotherapy, in which a person undergoes therapy to help teach them to reverse the habit of hair-pulling, and learn how to cope with the impulse to pull hair, and medications to treat depression. Even with seemingly successful treatment, it is common for the person to relapse into hair-pulling.

For those who are suffering from trichotillomania, there are things that can be done to make dealing with it easier. Recognizing the triggers to the behavior and trying to avoid them can help. Keeping the hands busy with other things so that they are not free to pull hair also helps. Wearing gloves may help discourage pulling because the person does not really feel the hair. Support groups can also help, sometimes; just knowing that you are not alone can make a big difference. If the person is bothered by their appearance, they may want to try to wear a wig, sometimes; the image of having a normal head of hair can help the person to stop pulling theirs out. Keeping their hair short may also help, especially if the person gets into the habit of taking good care of it. Asking family and friends to tell the person if they begin to pull hair may also help, especially if the person is doing without knowing. Learning ways to cope with stress other than pulling hair is also a way to help.

If you know someone who suffers from trichotillomania, the best thing you can do for that person is encourage them to get help. Even after they are diagnosed and treated, the person will need your support to help them overcome this disorder. Trichotillomania can have long-lasting complications in a person's life, the sooner treatment is started, and the easier it will be for the person to overcome this disorder.