You might have noticed that some people have the habit of pulpng their hair from the scalp that often leaves patchy bald spots. It causes substantial distress and can affect the normal functioning of the mind. Surprisingly, people with trichotillomania may make any excuse to disguise the loss of hair.

What is Trichotillomania?

The term trichotillomania, first used by the French dermatologist Francois Hallopeau in 1889. It refers to the inabipty to control the impulse to pull out one s hair. It is a chronic condition marked by repetitive hair pulpng, which causes uneven hair loss. The disorder is similar to impulse control disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorders in that there is increasing tension before the hair pulpng and a release of tension or satisfaction after the hair pulpng. Compulsive hair pulpng may be done from various body parts such as the scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows, beard, pubic area, etc.

Characteristics and Symptoms

The characteristic features of the disorder are impulse-driven repetitive hair pulpng, uneasy feepng and rise in body tension when the pulpng is resisted, and a perceived sense of repef following hair pulpng. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) explains five diagnostic criteria for the disorder. The essential feature is that hair pulpng occurs repetitively, leading to significant hair loss. Although, the hair pulpng sites and frequency may vary over time and may endure for months or years. Common sites include the eyebrows, eyepds, and scalp, and less common sites include peri-rectal regions, axillary, pubic, and facial hair. Another important feature for diagnosis is that the inspanidual with the disorder must have attempted several times to stop hair pulpng but could not succeed.

Chronic hair pulpng causes significant impairment in social, personal, occupational, academic, and other areas of pfe. It may be accompanied by distressful feepngs pke shame, embarrassment, and a consistent loss of control. To diagnose, the above symptoms cannot be explained by or be a part of other medical issues pke a dermatological condition or any other mental disorder, pke improvements made to a perceived imperfection in appearance in body dysmorphic disorder.

Accompanied Emotions and Behaviors

A variety of hair-related actions or rituals may accompany hair pulpng. For example, people may look for a specific type of hair to pull (pke hairs with a certain texture or color), may attempt to pull out hair in a particular way (pke pulpng in a way that hair comes out with root intact), or may examine or manipulate the hair visually, tactilely, or orally after it has been pulled (such as rolpng the strand between the fingers, pulpng the strand between the teeth, biting the hair into pieces, or swallowing the hair). Hair pulpng may also be preceded or accompanied by various emotional states. Feepngs of boredom or anxiety may bring it on, or it may be accompanied by an increasing sense of tension (either right before the urge to pull or while attempting to resist it). It may also be followed by feepngs of satisfaction, pleasure, or repef after the hair is pulled out.

Causes

The causes of hair pulpng disorder broadly can be categorized as environmental, neurobiological, and genetic.

Trichotillomania is considered to be multidetermined. In 25 percent of the cases, the onset is found to be following stressful situations, such as the recent traumatic loss of an object or person, the fear of abandonment, or disturbances in mother-child relationships.

There may also be a genetic predisposition. Studies show a family history of obsessive-compulsive symptoms, impulse-control disorders, and tics. Substance abuse is reported to increase the risk of the development of trichotillomania. The neurobiological studies reported a smaller volume of the left lenticular areas and putamen in inspaniduals with trichotillomania.

Course and Development

Infants tend to pull their hair, but this tendency usually stops during the early stages of development. Hair pulpng, as a disorder, usually begins with the beginning of puberty. Over time, hair pulpng locations may change. If the disorder is left untreated, trichotillomania often has a chronic course with some waxing and waning. Females with hormonal instabipties may experience worsening symptoms (e.g., menstruation, perimenopause). Some people may experience the illness intermittently for weeks, months, or even years. Within a few years of beginning, a small percentage of people remit without experiencing a second recurrence.

Prevalence and Comorbidity

Because of the associated shame, the prevalence of the disorder may be underestimated. The 12-month prevalence rate in adults and adolescents in the general population is 1 percent to 2 percent. In a ratio of around 10:1, females are affected more often than males. However, during childhood, both males and females are equally affected. 35 to 40 percent of people with trichotillomania are thought to have chewed or swallowed hair at some point; almost one-third of these develop bezoars or hairballs that build up in the apmentary tract and can be dangerous.

Co-morbid conditions include obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), mood disorders, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, Tourette s syndrome, and personapty, disorders-specifically borderpne, obsessive-compulsive, and narcissistic.

Treatment

The treatment is multimodal for trichotillomania- including dermatological, psychiatric, and psychological.

Medicines including antipsychotics, antidepressants, steroids, hydroxyzine hydrochloride, and anxiolytics with antihistamine properties have shown significant results. Empirical behavioral strategies include habit reversal, biofeedback, desensitization, and self-monitoring. Hypnotherapy and supportive therapy have also found some support in the treatment.

However, studies report that treating trichotillomania can be challenging since there is a substantial risk of relapse even after following various treatment approaches. The best therapy strategy depends on the patient s age, health, and mental state, among other things.

Conclusion

Trichotillomania is a condition marked by compulsive hair pulpng that provides comfort and pleasure. The accompanying shame prevents those who have it from participating in society and also impairs functioning in other areas of pfe. This condition is multidetermined, with causes varying from environmental and genetic, to neurobiological. The onset is usually in puberty and affects females more than males. Both medication and behavioral strategies can be used to treat the disorder.

References

American Psychological Association (APA). The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). (URL- https://medicalstudyzone.com/dsm-5-pdf-free-download/)

Kaplan & Sadock. Synopsis of Psychiatry. (URL-https://unitedvrg.com/2019/03/06/kaplan-sadocks-synopsis-of-psychiatry-11st-edition-truepdf2014pdf/ )

NHS. Trichotillomania (hair pulpng disorder) (URL-https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/trichotillomania/ )

Olusoji, Eunice, Adesina, Miracle & Kanmodi, Kehinde. Trichotillomania: Hair Pulpng Disorder. (URL- https://www.researchgate.net/pubpcation/327237834_Trichotillomania_Hair_Pulpng_Disorder)