Trichotillomania

Trichotillomania is a compulsive disorder in which the subject feels an irresistible urge to pull hair out of their scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, nose hair, moustache, beard or pubic hair. Although the issue is rather controversial, most psychologists place it in the compulsive behavior category. This approach is strengthened by the fact that people suffering from trichotillomania are generally rather healthy otherwise. There is no known general cause, although in some cases it has been proven that genetic heritage might play a role. Usually this conditions is developed in adolescence and can be rather difficult to cure as it a chronic state. More importantly though, for those affected of trichotillomania is to understand that it is virtually impossible to stop on their own. Although ths condition might not strike as serious enough for some, the fact that about half the people suffering from trichotillomania also ingest the hair they pull out is a big warning sign, as this poses a great health risk Trichotillomania doesn’t make a person abnormal, most of the people suffer from a compulsive disorder in a milder form, from nail biting to skin picking. This is a condition that is simply annoying and which can to an extent be cured.

Getting Rid Of Trichotillomania

Trichotillomania is very hard to defeat alone. A combination of therapy and medication is used to fight it. The medication is primarily used in the early stages of the treatment to alleviate stress and lower the intensity of the urge. Therapy is based on several behavioral techniques, which attempt to make the patient aware of the times when hair pulling is most likely to occur and how to redirect their impulses towards non-harmful actions. This method is called habit reversal training and starts with the assumption that hair pulling is a learned action, which most of the times obviously is. Alternative techniques focus more on identifying the causes of hair pulling, analyzing and then removing them. To be able to get rid of trichotillomania, the most important step is acknowledging that the condition is present. The shame and the fear of the parents’ or friends’ reaction often makes the one who suffers unwilling to step through this basic step. This is why an understanding of this psychological condition is crucial and the most important thing to understand is that it is an illness, which must be treated, not just a bad habit.

Living With Trichotillomania

Therapy indeed has its place in alleviating trichotillomania, but this compulsive disorder is a chronic one, so although the urge to pull hair might recede or change focus, it will still be there. It is necessary to avoid the conditions that normally lead to such an act and work toward getting out of the circle constantly. The purpose is not to reduce the amount of hair pulled, but stop it altogether. As a parent, if you have experienced trichotillomania it is safe to presume that your child will be at risk of developing such a condition too, so a constant, discrete watch would be helpful. It is important to stop this condition as soon as possible, because as previously stated hair pulling is a learned action, which can be unlearned and transformed into a harmless habit. It is also important to remember that girls are more prone to this psychological condition than boys.

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