TRICHOTILLOMANIA

HAIR PULLING DISORDER

ALSO CALLED HAIR-PULLING DISORDER, IS A MENTAL
DISORDER THAT INVOLVES RECURRENT, IRRESISTIBLE
URGE TO PULL OUT HAIR FROM YOUR SCALP, EYEBROWS
OR OTHER AREAS OF YOUR BODY
EPIDEMIOLOGY
in adults, appears large preponderance in female (4:1 female: male)
In childhood, the sex distribution has been found to be equal
SIGN/SYMPTOMS
 Repeatedly pulling your hair out

 A sense of pleasure or relief after the hair is pulled

 Playing with pulled-out hair or rubbing it across your

lips or face

 Noticeable hair loss Preference for specific types of

hair Biting, chewing or eating pulled-out hair
TREATMENT/MANAGEMENT
• Behavioral therapy
• Motivation and compliance therapy
• Relaxation training
PREVENTION
• There is no known way to prevent trichotillomania.
However, getting treatment as soon as symptoms appear
might help decrease any possible disruption to the person's
life, family and friendship Stress reduction also might help,
since stress often triggers the hair pulling behavior.