Hair pulling (Trichotillomania) Disorder Treatment
Hair Pulling (Trichotillomania) is characterized by recurrent pulling of a person’s own hair that leads to a significant and noticeable hair loss as well as an impairment in social and occupational functioning. Hair pulling is usually a “hidden activity” and sufferers deny this self destructive behavior and camouflage its consequences. They usually experience some tension (and sometimes an “itch” in the scalp) before engaging in this behavior and subsequently feel relief or even pleasure when the action is completed. Some individuals also engage in tricophagia (eating hairs) which can often lead to serious gastrointestinal illnesses.
Both stressful situations as well as states of relaxation may lead to hair pulling. Any area of the body may be targeted by the individual. The more frequent sites are the scalp, eyebrows, and eyelashes. People who suffer from Trichotilomania may also present with nail biting and skin picking.
The most effective treatment for hair pulling is a research based therapy called Habit Reversal. It is based among other interventions in developing a competing response. It has shown to be highly effective with hundreds of sufferers of Trichotillomania.
