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Trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder)

• Basics

• Definition
• Symptoms
• Causes
• Risk factors
• Complications
• Preparing for your appointment
• Tests and diagnosis
• Treatments and drugs
• Alternative medicine
• Coping and support

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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Trichotillomania (trik-o-til-o-MAY-ne-uh) is an irresistible urge to pull out hair from your scalp, eyebrows or other areas of your body. Hair pulling from the scalp often leaves patchy bald spots, which people with trichotillomania may go to great lengths to disguise.

Hair is often associated with beauty and vitality. That's why trichotillomania - also called hair-pulling disorder, trich or pulling - can be so emotionally painful for people with the condition.

For some people, trichotillomania may be mild and generally manageable. For others, the urge to pull hair is overwhelming. Some treatment options have helped many people reduce their pulling or stop entirely.

Symptoms References

1. Woods DW, et al. Trichotillomania: An ACT-enhanced Behavior Therapy Approach Therapist Guide. New York, N.Y.: Oxford University Press; 2008.
2. Fact sheet: Trichotillomania. Mental Health America. http://www.nmha.org/index.cfm?objectid=C7DF9926-1372-4D20-C88C1DDD5A71D709. Accessed Dec. 1, 2008.
3. About trichotillomania. Trichotillomania Learning Center. http://www.trich.org/about_trich. Accessed Dec. 1, 2008.
4. Trichotillomania in childhood: Case series and review. Pediatrics. 2004;113:3494.
5. Trichotillomania. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed Dec. 1, 2008.
6. Alternative treatments. Trichotillomania Learning Center. http://www.trich.org/treatment_resources/Alternative.asp. Accessed Dec. 1, 2008.
7. Chamberlain SR, et al. Lifting the veil on trichotillomania. American Journal of Psychiatry. 2007;164:568.
8. Walsh KH, et al. Trichotillomania. Presentation, etiology, diagnosis and therapy. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology. 2001;2:327.
9. Zuchner S et al. SLITRK1 mutations in Tricholtillomania. Molecular Psychiatry. 2006;11:888. http://www.nature.com/mp/journal/v11/n10/full/4001865a.html. Accessed Dec. 29, 2008.
10. Woods DW et al. Understanding and Treating Trichotillomania: What We Know and What We Don't Know. Psychiatric Clinics of North America. 2006;29:487. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/article/body/114970872-3/jorg=journal&source=MI&sp=16170821&sid=786898514/N/532552/1.html?issn=0193-953X. Accessed Dec. 29, 2008.

DS00895

Jan. 24, 2009

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