Trichotillomania, also known as"hair and eyebrow plucking disorder", is a type of impulse control disorder. People with trichotillomania often have an irresistible urge to pluck their scalp, eyelashes and eyebrows. When they are stressed, they may pluck their hair as a way of trying to calm themselves down.
Trichotillomania is a condition in which people pluck and pull out body hair, especially hair, for relaxation in situations of intense stress. People who perform this action enjoy it. Individuals with trichotillomania cannot control their hair plucking behavior because it is a psychiatric disorder. Some people with trichotillomania may have behaviors such as eating and swallowing the hair they pluck.
What are the Symptoms of Trichotillomania?
Trichotillomania is a type of impulse control disorder. People with these disorders act according to their impulses. They know that this is harmful, but they cannot stop themselves. They see hair plucking as a way of trying to calm themselves down when they are stressed. Along with repeated hair pulling, other symptoms include
- A feeling of tension before the hair pulling behavior or when trying to resist the urge to pull hair
- Feeling of relief after acting on the urge to pull hair
- Problems in work or social life due to hair plucking
- Naked patches on the scalp
- Behaviors such as checking the hair follicle, curling the hair, pulling the hair between the teeth, chewing the hair, eating the hair
- A preference for specific hair types or textures
If trichotillomania is present, there may be other disorders that often accompany it, such as onychophagia (nail biting) or skin picking disorder. Pulling fibers out of blankets or hair out of dolls are other signs that trichotillomania may be present. Many people with trichotillomania may deny it and try to hide their hair loss by wearing hats, scarves, false eyelashes and eyebrows.
What Causes Trichotillomania?
The exact cause of hair and eyebrow plucking disorder is unknown, but one of the most important causes is stress. One of the biggest reasons for the observation of trichotillomania, especially during adolescence, is the exam stress and fear of failure. When people feel under severe pressure and stressed, they may pluck their hair or feathers as an impulse to relieve this stress. Certain conditions can increase the risk of trichotillomania, including
Age: Hair and eyebrow plucking disorder usually begins in early adolescence, between the ages of 10 and 13. It can last a lifetime, although symptoms may come and go.
Genes: In some families, a tendency towards trichotillomania can be passed on. It is possible that another family member may have it.
Other mental health disorders: If a person has this condition, they may also have other mental health problems such as anxiety, depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Stress: Excessive stress can trigger this condition in some people. Stress, family conflict, the death of a friend or family member can all be factors.
How is trichotillomania diagnosed?
Trichotillomania is diagnosed according to the symptoms it shows. There is no special test for this. The diagnosis of this disease is determined by a psychiatrist. In order to make this diagnosis, some behaviors specific to trichotillomania should be observed in people;
- Repetition of hair and feather plucking behavior
- Inability to prevent hair and feather plucking behavior
- The disorder has a negative impact on people's lives
How is trichotillomania treated?
The first aim in the treatment of trichotillomania is to prevent the emotions and thoughts that cause stress in people's daily lives and to keep stress levels under control after the events experienced. Psychologists use individual behavioral therapy to show how stress can be kept under control.
In this treatment, the factors that lead to hair plucking and its consequences are emphasized, so that patients gain awareness.
Another method used in the treatment of this disorder is EMDR Therapy. Positive results are achieved with EMDR Therapy. By eliminating the negative effects of developmental traumas experienced during childhood, EMDR Therapy is an effective form of treatment.
What Complications Does Trichotillomania Cause?
Trichotillomania can cause great distress in people. People with this condition have low self-confidence. Other complications are as follows;
Problems at work and in social settings: People with this disorder can isolate themselves from social environments. Therefore, they cannot establish a healthy relationship with their environment.
Skin and hair damage: Constant hair pulling can leave scalp scars and affect hair growth in the long term.
Hair tangles: These are large, matted clumps of hair called trichobezoars that form in the GI tract. Over time, they can cause weight loss and blockages.