TRICHOTILLOMANIA

What is trichotillomania?

Trichotillomania(hair-pulling
disorder) is characterized by the
persistent and excessive pulling of
ones own hair, resulting in
noticeable hair loss. Hair pulling can
occur in any area of the body
where hair grows.
Signs and symptoms:
Repeatedly pulling your hair out, typically
from your scalp, eyebrows or eyelashes, but
sometimes from other body areas, and sites
may vary over time
An increasing sense of tension before
pulling, or when you try to resist pulling
A sense of pleasure or relief after the hair
is pulled
 Noticeable hair loss, such as shortened hair or
thinned or bald areas on the scalp or other
areas of your body, including sparse or missing
eyelashes or eyebrows
Preference for specific types of hair, rituals
that accompany hair pulling or patterns of hair
pulling
Biting, chewing or eating pulled-out hair
 Playing with pulled-out hair or rubbing it across
your lips or face
Repeatedly trying to stop pulling out your hair
or trying to do it less often without success
Significant distress or problems at work, school
or in social situations related to pulling out your
hair
Etiology:
The etiology of trichotillomania is largely unknown, though
both environmental and genetic causes have been
suspected. Explanations that have been proposed for the
onset and maintenance of the hair-pulling behavior
include the following:
Coping mechanism for anxiety or stressful events
A benign habit that developed from a sensory event
(eg, itchy eyelash) or another event and resulted in
trichotillomania
Co-occurring with another habitual behavior (ie, thumbsucking) in
young children [9]
Serotonin deficiency - A link may exist between a
deficiency of the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-
hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) and trichotillomania; the
hypothesized connection between the two is based on
the success of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
(SSRIs) in treating some people with trichotillomania
Diagnostic Criteria
 A.Recurrent pulling out of ones hair,
resulting in hair loss.
B.Repeated attempts to decrease or
stop hair pulling.
C.The hair pulling causes clinically
significant distress or impairment in
social, occupational,or other important
areas of functioning.
 D. The hair pulling or hair loss is not attributable
to another medical condition (e.g., a
dermatological
condition).
E.The hair pulling is not better explained by
the symptoms of another mental disorder
(e.g., attempts to improve a perceived defect
or flaw in appearance in body dysmorphic
disorder).