Trichtillomania is the rare impulse control disorder that
results in the compulsion to pull out one’s own hair. The hair can come from
the scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows and the pubic area, frequently resulting in bald
patches. This inevitably causes a build up of anxiety and low self-esteem and
can often lead to social and work problems.
The condition typically arises in childhood or adolescence, often
at the onset of puberty. Some will improve with age, but others may find the
condition continuing into adulthood. As an example, in America it is
thought that between 1% and 3% of the population suffer from trichotillomania,
and of those, around 80% are women.
The actual causes of trichotillomania remain unknown, but
many sufferers also endure related impulse control disorders such as
nail-biting and skin-picking, depressive disorder or obsessive compulsive
disorder. Some data links trichotillomania to chemical imbalance, genetics or
stress, which is known to intensify the condition.
In some instances ,Trichophagia, the swallowing of extracted
hair, may also arise. This can be very dangerous as it can result in the formation
of hairballs, which may need surgical removal to prevent blockages of the
intestine.
As trichotillomania is primarily a behavioural problem, the
treatment offered is typically psychological, such as Habit Reversal Training.
This places a great deal of focus on raising the sufferers’ awareness of when
and why the hair pulling occurs, with the aim of educating patients to redirect
their compulsion. Anti-depressants can also be an effective form of treatment
for some.
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