Trichotillomania
There's no single causeof trichotillomania (hair pulling), but there are a number of theories about why it may occur.
Trichotillomania may be a reflection of a mental health problem. Psychological and behavioural theories suggest a person may pull their hair out as a wayof relieving stress or anxiety .
Astrichotillomania involves compulsive behaviour, some experts think it's closely related to obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) .
OCDtends to run in families. It's thought to be caused by both biological and environmental factors, which may lead toa chemical imbalance in the brain.
Neurotransmitters are chemicals that send messages from yourbrain to your nervous system.
If something goes wrong with the way neurotransmitters work, it can cause problems, such as compulsive andrepetitive behaviours.
Trichotillomania may be a type of Self-harm , where a person deliberately injures themselves to seek temporary relief from emotional distress.
The pain associated with self-harm makes the brain release endorphins (natural painkilling chemicals), which cause a short-lived sense of wellbeing.
Self-harm is often accompanied by feelings such as:
As well as pulling your hair out, you may also self-harm in other ways for example,by cutting yourself.
Someone may start self-harming as a way to cope with a traumatic experience, such as sexual, physical or emotional abuse.
Ifyou've been sexually abused, trichotillomania may be seen as a way of making yourself less attractive or less feminine (if you're female).
Making yourself less attractive confirms your negative view of yourself, and the cycle of self-loathing and self-harm continues.
Some other theories about what causes trichotillomania include:
Trichotillomania is a condition where a person feels compelled to pull their hair out.
Most people with trichotillomania pull out hair from their scalp, but some pull out hair from other areas, such as their eyebrows, eyelashes and genital area.
There's no single cause of trichotillomania but there are a number of theories about why it may occur. It may be a reflection of a mental health problem.
You should visit your GP if you are pulling your hair out, or if you notice that your child is.
The most effective treatment for trichotillomania is therapy that aims to change your hair-pulling behaviour, combined with a network of emotional support.
Trichotillomania (hair pulling) can have a significant impact on your quality of life. It can also cause further medical problems.