Trichotillomania
A condition involving recurrent pulling out of one’s own hair, resulting in hair loss, along with repeated attempts to decrease or stop the behavior.
Overview
Trichotillomania, also called hair-pulling disorder, involves recurrent pulling out of one’s own hair resulting in hair loss, along with repeated attempts to decrease or stop the behavior, causing distress or impairment.
Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms can include noticeable hair loss from pulling, a sense of tension before pulling or when resisting the urge, and relief or gratification during or after pulling. Experiencing one or more of these symptoms does not necessarily mean that a person has this condition. Diagnosis requires an appropriate clinical evaluation.
Causes and Risk Factors
The exact cause is not fully understood. It is classified alongside obsessive-compulsive and related disorders and may share overlapping risk factors.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis should be made by a qualified healthcare professional following a comprehensive clinical assessment. Clinicians may use established diagnostic frameworks such as DSM-5-TR and/or ICD-11 as part of a comprehensive assessment.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the individual’s symptoms, clinical history, severity, age, co-occurring conditions, and other relevant factors.
Psychotherapy
Habit-reversal training, a form of cognitive behavioral therapy, has strong evidence supporting its use.
Living With Trichotillomania
Identifying triggers and using competing-response strategies learned in therapy can reduce pulling episodes.
When to Seek Professional Help
Professional evaluation may be appropriate if symptoms persist, worsen, cause significant distress, or interfere with work, school, or relationships.
Emergency Situations
If a person may be in immediate danger, is experiencing a medical or psychiatric emergency, or may harm themselves or another person, seek immediate assistance through appropriate local emergency services.
Outlook
Many people experience significant improvement with habit-reversal-based treatment.
Related Conditions
Medical Information Disclaimer
Ratel Health provides general educational information and does not provide medical diagnosis, treatment, or individualized medical advice. Information on this page is not a substitute for evaluation or care from a qualified healthcare professional. Do not use this information to diagnose yourself or another person, or to start, stop, or change treatment or medication without consulting an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
References
- American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR).
- National Institute of Mental Health.
- World Health Organization. International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision.