Advice for anyone suffering from compulsive hair pulling
Trichotillomania is the compulsive urge to pull out your own hair, which leads to hair loss.
Hair pulling is up to 10 times more common in girls around the ages of 12-13 than in boys, and by adulthood, around 12 females to every one male seek help for Trichotillomania.
However, many don’t seek help and hide their behaviour for years because of feelings of shame, embarrassment and depression.
It is one of a group of impulse control disorders, which means that although you don’t want to pull your hair, you simply can’t help yourself.
Symptoms signs and side-effects:
An irresistible urge to pull hair
Noticeable hair loss from recurrent pulling
An increased feeling of tension prior to pulling out the hair or when trying to resist an attack
Feelings of pleasure, gratification or relief are derived from pulling
Possible pulling of hair from more than one area on the body
A feeling of guilt afterwards
Being aware that if it stopped there would be a benefit to you
Advice and help on how to stop:
The management of the condition has not been clearly identified and is still being researched. Trichotillomania is sometimes associated with anxiety and depression, patients often find that medication helps so consult your GP to discuss this.
Habit reversal techniques - Some patients find carrying around a small object with you will keep your fingers busy when you feel an urge to pull.
Self-monitoring - Work out when you are more likely to have the urge and possibly move away from those environments
Relaxation - deep breathing is well known to help relieve anxiety and tension
Psychotherapy - a talking therapy that can be used to treat emotional problems and mental health conditions.
For more information and advice: