|
Trichotillomania
Those who live it say it starts as a harmless habit, and for
the most part isn't something they give much thought. Until,
that is, it becomes something that isn't stopped as easily
as it began. Trichotillomania is an impulse control disorder
in which a person has an overwhelming urge to pull out her
own hair, often resulting in patches of baldness.
Although the hair
on the scalp is most often affected, the eyelashes, eyebrows,
and facial hair are also affected. Some individuals chew and/or
swallow (ingest) the hair they have pulled out (trichophagy*).
The behavior is
often accompanied by an increase in tension preceding the
hair-pulling behavior and a sense of relief or pleasure after
the behavior is completed. It's estimated that trichotillomania
affects one to two percent of the population, and that 90%
of those with the disease are women (research shown on this
statistic is inconclusive, reflecting the possibility that
men are simply less likely to seek treatment). The typical
first-time hair puller is 12 years old, although "trich"
has affected people as young as one and as old as seventy+.
The reasons for
the onset of trichotillomania are unknown and there is no
known cure, however there are a number of support groups and
organizations dedicated to further research and understanding
of this disorder.
Please visit our Hairweaving/Replacement
for Hair Loss area to view examples.
For more information,
and the latest in research and support groups in your area,
contact:
Trichotillomania Learning Center
303 Potrero St, Suite 51
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Tel: 831-457-1001
trichster@aol.com
www.trich.org
National Institute of Mental Health
6001 Executive Blvd
Rm 8184, MSC 9663
Rockville, MD 20892-9663
301-443-4513
nimhinfo@nih.gov
www.nimh.nih.gov
Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 9573
New Haven, CT 06535
203-315-2190
infor@ocfoundation.org
http://www.ocfoundation.org
*
Medical information provided is based on reference from the
WebMD Health website (www.webmd.com).
It is not meant to replace the diagnosis of a qualified physician,
and further research of any information provided is encouraged.
+Medical information and statistics from the
Trichotillomania Learning Center website, www.trich.org
<
Back
|
