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trichotillomania

Hair loss happens for many reasons, but trichotillomania is one of the very few self-induced forms of alopecia. This means that the person experiencing trichotillomania, or trich, causes their own hair loss via pulling or otherwise damaging their hair. Let’s look at what trichotillomania is, what causes it, and who it affects.

Trichotillomania Explained

Trichotillomania is a mental health condition whereby the individual experiences an overwhelming urge to pull their own hair out. People usually think about hair loss as being from the scalp, but trich sufferers may pull hair from their eyebrows, eyelashes, armpits, arms, legs, and the pubic area. This can lead to bald patches anywhere on the body, potentially damaging that person’s body image and self-confidence.

Trichotillomania may also be linked to trichophagia which is the eating of hair. Problems associated with this include oral and digestive discomfort, plus hairballs (trichobezoars) that can build up in the stomach or the intestines, potentially needing surgical intervention. Developing hairballs that spread through the digestive tract is known as Rapunzel Syndrome. [i]

Causes of Trich

We’ve all heard the expression “pulling your hair out with stress,” but for people with trich, this could be more true than you realize. Stress, anxiety, and trauma are all linked to cases of trichotillomania, although these aren’t the only correlations.

There doesn’t seem to be one definitive cause for compulsive hair pulling. It’s diagnosed by most medical professionals as a type of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and treated much the same way, with a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and appropriate medications.

Other factors impacting mental health conditions, including trich, could include isolation and loneliness, which both rose during the pandemic; existing mental health conditions such as generalized anxiety disorder; existing body image issues; and a lack of support or treatment options causing minor hair pulling to escalate.

People Most Impacted by Trich

Between 1 and 2% of the population suffers from trich, predominantly found in women and girls. [ii] This could be due to hormonal factors, or the societal pressures placed on women regarding looks and how much their hair factors into this. It could also be that women are more likely to seek help than men, as there is still a stigma surrounding men asking for assistance with any mental health issue. [iii]

Girls between the ages of 9 and 13 are most likely to experience trichotillomania and also more likely to deny it or refuse treatment – possibly due to fears of peer reactions and other social pressures. [iv] Hair loss can be distressing and confusing for a child, and they may not even realize they are causing it themselves without assistance to help them come to terms with the issue.

Trichotillomania can be an isolating and distressing condition, but you don’t have to suffer alone. If you or someone you know is struggling with hair loss, Custom Hair can help. To schedule a free consultation, click here.

Photo Credit: sasint Via Pixabay

[i] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2856853/

[ii] https://www.mhanational.org/conditions/trichotillomania-hair-pulling

[iii] https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/mental-health-men/2021/07/02/9a199734-d5e5-11eb-ae54-515e2f63d37d_story.html

[iv] https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/518191#ref5