Reply to an Answer

Hopefully this page/link will help   Home Diseases and Conditions Trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder) Basics Definition 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 Mayo Clinic Health Manager Get free personalized health guidance for you and your family. Get Started Free E-Newsletter Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. View sample RSS Feeds close window Mayo Clinic Housecall Stay up to date on the latest health information. What you get Free weekly e-newsletter Mayo Clinic expertise Recipes, tools and other helpful information We do not share your e-mail address Sign up View past issues 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 Woods DW, et al. Trichotillomania: An ACT-enhanced Behavior Therapy Approach Therapist Guide. New York, N.Y.: Oxford University Press; 2008. Fact sheet: Trichotillomania. Mental Health America. http://www.nmha.org/index.cfm?objectid=C7DF9926-1372-4D20-C88C1DDD5A71D709. Accessed Dec. 1, 2008. About trichotillomania. Trichotillomania Learning Center. http://www.trich.org/about_trich. Accessed Dec. 1, 2008. Trichotillomania in childhood: Case series and review. Pediatrics. 2004;113:3494. 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. Alternative treatments. Trichotillomania Learning Center. http://www.trich.org/treatment_resources/Alternative.asp. Accessed Dec. 1, 2008. Chamberlain SR, et al. Lifting the veil on trichotillomania. American Journal of Psychiatry. 2007;164:568. Walsh KH, et al. Trichotillomania. Presentation, etiology, diagnosis and therapy. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology. 2001;2:327. 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. 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 © 1998-2009 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Reliable tools for healthier lives," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Print Share Reprints close window E-mail this page * Required fields   * Recipient's e-mail address * Your name * Your e-mail Clicking "send" signifies that you have read and agree to our privacy policy.     Share this on ... StumbleUpon Digg del.icio.us Facebook MySpace   Link to this page To link to this page, copy this HTML and paste it onto your Web page. <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/trichotillomania/DS00895">Trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder)</a> Guidelines for sites linking to MayoClinic.com