Trichotillomania
Trichotillomania Causes
The causes of this disorder are not completely understood but it is a type of compulsive behavior. As much as 4% of the population may be affected by Trichotillomania and women are four times more likely to be affected than men.
Trichotillomania Definition
Commonly known as ?trich,? Trichotillomania or TTM is an impulse control disorder characterized by the repeated urge to pull out scalp hair, eyelashes, facial hair, nose hair, pubic hair, eyebrows or other body hair, that may result in noticeable bald spots. Though classified in the DSM-IV as an impulse control disorder, there are still questions about how it should be classified.
Trichotillomania Diagnosis
A biopsy may be conducted to rule out other causes, explain the hair loss and diagnose the disease.
Trichotillomania Symptoms and Signs
Symptoms of the disease usually begin before the age of 17. In most cases, the hair may come out in round patches or across the scalp, effecting to an uneven appearance. Others may also pluck other hairy areas. Among the other symptoms of the disorder are bare patches or all around loss of hair, bowel blockage if people eat the hair they pull out, constant tugging, pulling, or twisting of hair, denying the hair pulling, increasing sense of tension before the hair pulling, other self injury behaviors, and a sense of relief, pleasure, or gratification after the hair pulling.
Trichotillomania Treatment
Experts do not agree on the use of medication for the treatment of Trichotillomania but nalrexone and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have been found effective in reducing some of the symptoms. Other options include behavioral therapy and habit reversal.