Many people have a compulsive urge to pull out their hair. In the past, this was thought of as something like an obsessive-compulsive disorder or nervous action. But scientists and hair professionals now know there is something going on. Its name? Trichotillomania.
What Exactly Is Trichotillomania?
Trichotillomania (trick-o-till-o-may-nee-uh), put simply, is a hair-pulling disorder. Those who suffer from it feel the need to pull their hair out, and from different places on their body. While it may seem harmless, those with Trich usually end up with something more embarrassing—severe hair loss.
This hair loss then leads to other social problems. Interaction and daily activities with friends and family become harder.
How do I know if I Have Trichotillomania?
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders lists the following to help you understand the symptoms better:
Recurrent hair pulling, hair loss as a result
Visible Distress or impairment in social, occupational, or another area of functioning
No substance abuse or a medical condition related
No other psychiatric disorder in the patient
Trichotillomania can affect around 0.5 to 2 percent of adults. And it seems that women get it more often, up to four times as many women more than men.
Anxiety and Trichotillomania
To understand those who suffer from “Trich”, we must take into account their personal history. In many cases, it is a stressful or traumatic event that leads to hair disorders.
In the cases of young children and teenagers, a common age for Trichotillomania, the hair-pulling may be done unconsciously as a way to cope. Trichotillomania is now identified as a mental health disorder, for which there really is no “medicine”.
The best way to help someone with Trich is to help them destress and deal with the underlying personal issues that are causing anxiety.
How Can You Help A Loved One Who Has Trichotillomania?
Promoting better self-care, help from hair experts, and doing activities to boost the body esteem will help people with Trich to slowly overcome it.
If you know someone who is experiencing Trich right now, seek help from a psychologist for their mental health. The important thing is to find out what is causing the stress, and then deal with this first before attempting other “cures”. Next, contact a hair therapist who has dealt with this disorder. Whether they need to start using wigs or have a certain hair care treatment, a specialist can help.
To schedule a free, no-obligation hair loss evaluation with one of our trained hair loss professionals, call Genesis II today at (315) 458-1074 or you can contact us via email by clicking here.
Photo Credit: Anemone123 Via Pixabay
