What is Trichotillomania?

Trichollomania is an impulse control disorder characterized by the repeated urge to pull out scalp hair, eyelashes, facial hair, nose hair, eyebrows or other body hair. It sometimes results in noticeable bald patches.

It may seem at times to resemble a habit and addiction, a tic disorder or an obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Trichotillomania also know as TTM appears to strike frequently in the pre-or early adolescent years. It is thought that most of those with TTM are women; but research is inconclusive and it may simply be the case that men are less likely to seek treatment and may hide their symptoms.

TTM is classified as a habit behavior; similar to nail biting or compulsive skin picking. These disorders are a cross between mental disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) because the sight or feel of a body part causes the individual anxiety and physical disorders such as stereotypic movement disorder because the person performs repetitive movements without being bothered by or completely aware of them.

Treatment Option for Trichotillomania

Habit Reversal Training or HRT has been shown to be successful as well as medications. Many patients who pull their hair don't' realize that they are doing this; it is a conditioned response. With Habit Reversal Training doctors train the individual to learn to recognize their impulse to pull and also teach them to redirect this impulse. However when TTM results in excessive and noticeable hair loss, especially for women, it will affect their social life since they will avoid appearing in public and often hide their hair loss under hats and scarves. It seems in such circumstances it is best to use some form of prosthesis hair replacements, Human Hair Wigs or a custom Hair Integration System to enhance the appearance. Hair Restoration of California has helped many individuals for Trichotillomania. Having such prosthesis will also help to avoid pulling hair since the surface of the scalp in not exposed.

Women hair restoration resources

Cosmetic procedures for hair loss information

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