Trichotillomania?

 

Adults or children with trichotillomania repetitively pull hair from their own body leading to noticeable hair loss.  Hair maybe pulled from anywhere on their own body including: theirscalp, genitals, eyelashes, eyebrows, underarms, legs, chest, nipples, stomach, face and armpits

 

The hair-pulling is often associated with an intense urge prior to pulling out the hair and is followed by a sense of pleasure, gratification or relief.

 

Hair-pulling may occur because of a stressful situation or it may be more like a habit which is carried out without awareness. 

 

To receive a diagnosis of trichotillomania the hair-pulling must cause significant distress (e.g., anxiety, guilt, depression, low self-esteem, shame or embarrassment) OR cause significant impairment in at least one aspect of life.  

 

Trichotillomania can be treated effectively with cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT).  

CBT involves:

• identifying triggers for hair-pulling

• collecting hairs in a diary and recording triggers for each pull

• increasing awareness when you are about to pull

• learning to develop other ways to manage stress or relationship conflict 

• learning a new response to carry out when you feel the urge to pull

• developing a relapse prevention plan for hair-pulling