Trichotillomania appears to be a fairly common disorder, with
high rates of co-occurring anxiety disorders
. Many individuals with trichotillomania also report that pulling worsens during periods of increased anxiety.
Is trichotillomania caused by anxiety?
People who have trichotillomania may also have other disorders, such as depression, anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Stress. Severely stressful situations or events may trigger trichotillomania in some people.
What type of anxiety is trichotillomania?
Trichotillomania, also known as “hair-pulling disorder,” is a
type of impulse control disorder
. People who have trichotillomania have an irresistible urge to pull out their hair, usually from their scalp, eyelashes, and eyebrows. They know they can do damage but often can’t control the impulse.
What causes trichotillomania?
Causes of trichotillomania
your
way of dealing with stress or anxiety
.
a chemical imbalance in the brain
, similar to obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) changes in hormone levels during puberty.
Is trichotillomania an OCD or anxiety?
Trichotillomania (pronounced trik-o-till-o-MAY-nee-uh), also referred to as “hair-pulling disorder,” is a mental disorder classified
under Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders
and involves recurrent, irresistible urges to pull hair from the scalp, eyebrows, eyelids, and other areas of the body, despite repeated …
Has anyone been cured of trichotillomania?
There is no cure for this disorder
, but it can be successfully managed. Therapy by a qualified body-focused repetitive behavior practitioner would be the ideal method to deal with trichotillomania. This article highlights ten things you can do to deal with it.
Since trichotillomania is
an impulse control disorder
, those affected with ADHD may begin hair pulling to relieve the tension caused by the impact of sensory issues. This compulsion can be both biological and psychological in nature.
Does hair regrow after trichotillomania?
All treatments for trichotillomania take time and patience, but the good news is that
your hair can grow back
. If it has been going on for a long time, less may do so, or your hair may grow back a different texture – but you will see an improvement.
What should you not say to someone with trichotillomania?
- Don’t ask, “Why don’t you just stop?” …
- Don’t suggest, “Stop covering your bald spots so you can actually see the damage.” …
- Don’t say, “You need to learn to relax, and maybe the pulling will stop automatically.” …
- Don’t carefully observe the person and signal or say something when they are pulling…
How does trichotillomania affect the body?
Psychological Effects – Trichotillomania will have a tremendous impact on your mental health, particularly if it is left untreated. Some of the psychological effects that may be experienced include:
Low self-esteem or poor body image due to hair loss and skin damage
.
Increased feelings of depression or anxiety
.
What is the best medication for trichotillomania?
Several studies have examined
SSRIs
in treating trichotillomania and skin picking. The SSRIs include: fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), sertraline (Zoloft), citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), and paroxetine (Paxil). These medications are FDA-approved for the treatment of depression or OCD or both.
What is the best treatment for trichotillomania?
- Habit reversal training. This behavior therapy is the primary treatment for trichotillomania. …
- Cognitive therapy. This therapy can help you identify and examine distorted beliefs you may have in relation to hair pulling.
- Acceptance and commitment therapy.
Is trichotillomania linked to depression?
Trichotillomania can occur in conjunction with a variety of conditions including
depression
, anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Is trichotillomania an addiction?
Trichotillomania itself has been considered a form of addiction
, as those with trichotillomania may experience withdrawal or difficulty stopping hair-pulling behaviors.
How does trichotillomania affect the brain?
The results of the analysis, published in Brain Imaging and Behaviour in June, show that patients with trichotillomania have
increased thickness in regions of the frontal cortex involved in suppression of motor responses
: the right inferior frontal gyrus (rIFG) and other nearby brain regions.
Is trichotillomania hereditary?
So, is trichotillomania inherited?
Yes, it can be
, but other factors also contribute to the condition. As research and studies continue, understanding of the causes of trichotillomania and other mental health disorders will increase and improve prevention and treatment options.
