Trichotillomania
Trichotillomania (hair pulling) can have a significant impact on your quality of life. It can also cause further medical problems.
Trichotillomania can be distressing for those with the condition because it can cause feelings of:
This can affect your social life for example,you may have fewer friends or you may find intimate relationships difficult.
Trichotillomania may also affect how well you perform at school or work. For example, you may end up missing school because you're too embarrassed to go in, oryou may find it difficult to concentrate at work, which could affect your career progression.
Some people also feel angry or frustrated about being unable to control their urges, and may use alcohol , smoking or drugs as a way ofcoping.
Telogen effluvium is loss of hair. People with trichotillomania end up losing their hair because they pull it out.
This can cause bald patches or, in some cases, total baldness, which can affect your confidence and self-esteem.
You may avoid certain activities where the bald patches could be noticed, such as going to the hairdresser or going swimming.
Trichobezoars are hair balls that can form in your stomach or bowel if you eat the hair you pull out. The hair balls can cause serious symptoms such as:
In severe cases, stomach or intestinal surgery may be needed to remove the hair ball.
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.