Trichotillomania Trichotillomania is the act of pulling one’s own hair out. This condition is an anxiety disorder and is generally treated as such. A person that has this condition will have a strong urge to pull hair out. This most often involves pulling hair from their scalp, eyelashes, and eyebrows. Some people wonder, is it painful? Yes, it is; however, the anxiety-driven urge outweighs the physical pain. Impulse Control Most patients with this condition have already been diagnosed with anxiety. Just as a drug user cannot control the impulse to buy drugs, a person with this condition cannot control the impulsive urge to pull hair from their body. The sufferers come in all shapes and sizes, and there is no economic class that is immune. Many of those affected can attempt to hide their condition by wearing wigs and false eyelashes. It is embarrassing for the patients, many have made themselves almost bald, and may be forced to explain why to family members and close friends. Some sufferers say they wear a wig and eyelashes and proceed with life as normal as possible. One patient said she attended a party and received numerous compliments on how beautiful her hair (wig) was, no one even suspected. She made numerous trips to the restroom during the party, to remove the wig and pull more hair out. Without being able to do that she admitted she would have a full meltdown and have to leave the party. Just as a drug addict might sneak to a restroom stall, or a food addict might sit alone in their car and eat, someone with this condition will also look for a private area so they can be alone and pluck hair. Related: How to Manage the Mess between Notes Treatment This condition is not extremely common, and not understood by everyone. Patients should attempt to search out a therapist that understands the condition. A complete understanding is essential in helping the patient learn other coping mechanisms. Treatment most often involves prescribed medications to help with anxiety. The therapy portion of the treatment is aimed toward impulse control. There are many diversions people can use to learn a new habit, and that is what needs to take place in these cases. It takes the human brain 21 days to develop a new habit, and after those 21 days, the new habit will start to become second nature. Most patients are encouraged to do a hobby that involves heavy use of their hands. Knitting,
embroidery, woodwork, something to keep the hands busy and occupied. Some may wear a wrist band, and when they feel the urge to pull hair, they pull on the wrist band instead. Cognitive therapy is used to retrain the mind, when a person begins to feel that intense need to pull hair, they begin self meditation, and divert their attention and mind away from the act of pulling hair. If you work with a patient that has this condition always check the areas that hair has been pulled from to ensure there are no open wounds or infections, this can happen when large amounts of hair is pulled at once. It’s a difficult condition to understand, although very real, and very traumatic for the patients. Most people simply look at a condition such as this and say, just stop. Just remember, and always remember, you do not know what that other person feels. Anxiety is a difficult condition to control and pulling hair is a form of anxiety. Related: Your Footwear is as important as your Stethoscope Statistics - 80% of those that suffer from Trichotillomania are female -
90% are able to hide their condition from family members and friends. They accomplish this by using wigs, makeup, etc.
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On average, it takes a person 3 years of suffering from the condition before they seek help.
The good news is, once they do seek help, 80%+ show major improvement as hair begins to grow back. Some patients may have permanent hair loss from damaging the hair follicle. Hair will never return to those areas. If you encounter a patient with this condition, make sure they are receiving help and support. There are online support groups for anyone that is interested. Related: Highly Respected Registered Nurse, Freda Kiboko, BSN, RN, will be Featured in the Worldwide Leaders in Healthcare Please follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Pinterest, Twitter