| Subscribe to Mark's Newsletter |
Trichotillomania (Hair-pulling)
Do you feel an overwhelming urge to pull hair from your scalp or other parts of your body?If you answered ‘yes’ to these questions, it’s possible that you are suffering from trichotillomania. It’s a disorder characterized by the irresistible urge to pull hair from your scalp, eyebrows, pubic area, and/or other parts of the body. These hair-pulling thoughts and behaviors become so frequent and intense that sufferers are often unable to go about their normal day-to-day activities. It can interfere with one’s productivity at work, social life, romantic relationships, self-esteem, and many other aspects of daily life.
If you have trichotillomania, it’s important to know that you are not alone or crazy. It affects an estimated 2-4% of the population, and fortunately, you can greatly reduce your suffering with proper treatment. Please keep reading for more information.
How Can I Tell If I Have Trichotillomania?
If you suspect that you have trichotillomania, you may wish to take a look at this survey. Select “true” or “false” for each statement, depending on whether it generally describes you. The more true statements you identify, the more likely it is that you are experiencing trichotillomania. (However, please note that this is NOT a scientific survey; it’s for informational purposes only. For an accurate assessment, you’ll need to consult a mental health professional.)
True/False I use my fingers, or tools (such as tweezers or comb) to pull hair from my scalp, eyebrows, pubic area, and/or other body parts.
True/False I feel very tense before I pull out my hair.
True/False I feel a sense of relief after I pull out my hair.
True/False I have visible hair loss.
True/False Pulling out my hair helps me to feel relaxed.
True/False My need to pull is interfering with my day-to-day activities.
True/False I often play around with my pulled-out hair, such as by chewing it or rubbing it across my face.
True/False I have bald patches or an uneven appearance to my hair.
True/False I feel extremely tense if I try to resist the urge to pull out hair.
True/False My need to pull out hair is causing me distress and taking up a lot of my time.
True/False I feel that my social life is suffering due to my hair-pulling (possibly because of embarrassment, excessive time spent pulling hair, etc)
Warning Signs To Look Out For In Children
If you suspect that your child may be suffering from trichotillomania, you can take a look at this checklist to see if these indications apply to your child. Please keep in mind that this is an informational guide only, not a scientific survey. For a proper diagnosis, your child will need a consultation with a mental health professional.
Excessive twisting, tugging, or fiddling with hair
Increased anxiety and/or preoccupation
Avoids windy and/or wet activities (such as running outdoors, swimming, etc.)
Wears hats, bandanas, etc.
Has bare patches or uneven appearance to the hair
Decline in academic performance
Bowel obstruction, if eating the pulled-out hair
It’s common for children who suffer from trichotillomania to feel embarrassed and ashamed about their hair pulling, which may cause them to try to hide their behavior. If you believe your child has this disorder, it’s important that you approach them gently, so as to not to make him/her feel crazy or embarrassed. Assure your child that you are going to help him/her beat this disorder (please keep reading for information about treatment), and that he/she doesn’t have to live like this forever.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that some children engage in hair-pulling behavior temporarily, and then grow out of it. A mental health professional can distinguish whether your child’s hair pulling is cause for concern.
Self-Help Methods
If you are suffering from trichotillomania, there are some ways you might be able to reduce your anxiety on your own. These suggestions may not work for everyone, but they’re worth giving a try:
- Practice relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, etc. Learning how to relax yourself may help you resist the urge to pull when it arises.
- Join a support group for people with trichotillomania. Meeting others who know firsthand what you’re going through will help you to feel less alone, and you can develop a support system to help each other conquer the disorder.
- Ask family members and friends to let you know when they notice you inadvertently pulling hair. Don’t be afraid to lean on those you care about for support – let them help you get through this.
- Learn your triggers (i.e. what situations cause you to pull), so that you’re more aware of where and when the urge to pull arises. This may help you to avoid these settings when possible, or develop greater awareness of your pulling habits and perhaps more effectively manage the urges. (For example, many people with trichotillomania find that they pull hair while watching TV, or in stressful situations like exams)
- Take up hobbies that involve your hands, such as drawing or knitting. Keeping your fingers busy may reduce the urge to pull out hair.
Seeking Professional Treatment
While the above suggestions may prove useful, they are no replacement for seeking treatment from a mental health professional. Qualified therapists are trained in methods such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and EMDR, which can help you determine the cause of your hair-pulling urges, develop more adaptive thoughts and behaviors, and deal with the emotional troubles you’ve been experiencing as a result of trichotillomania.
Many others have experienced similar struggles and have been able to conquer this disorder with the help of mental health specialists. You deserve to live a happier life, too. You deserve to free yourself from the urge to pull hair.
If you’d like more information, you can
contact Mark Dworkin LCSW at (516) 731-7611.
Sources
