Trichotillomania's Root Causes

Trichotillomania's Root Causes

In Greek, "thrix" means "hair," "tillein" means "to pull," and "mania" means "madness" or "frenzy," hence the phrase "trichotillomania" is derived from these concepts. Trichotillomania, as the name indicates, is a mental disorder characterized by an irresistible need to pluck off one's own hair. Hair pulling is more than just an obsession for those with trichotillomania. It's more of an addictive pattern of behavior that the individual has a hard time breaking. Some researchers believe that a chemical imbalance in the brain is at the root of tricholomania.

Trichotillomania sufferers rip hair off the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, and even the privates. Some individuals even remove handfuls of hair, which may create bare areas on the head or eyebrows. Some folks even take out a single hair at a time. After removing their hair, some people examine the individual strands or even play with them. It is estimated that around 50% of those affected also have the tendency to place the plucked hair in their mouths.

Even ancient texts make reference to trichotillomania as a mental illness. However, it wasn't until 1889 that French doctor Francois Hallopeau diagnosed trichotillomania as a clinical disorder. It's estimated that only 1%–3% of the population suffers from this disorder, but recent studies reveal that the true prevalence of hair-pulling is closer to 10%.

Nearly twice as many females as males suffer from trichotillomania. Adolescence is a common time for the onset of trichotillomania. However, it may manifest in children as young as one.

 Those who suffer from trichotillomania may experience feelings of humiliation, frustration, shame, and sadness. People with poor self-esteem are in that group. They often cover up their bad habits. As a result, people with trichotillomania often feel isolated from others. Additionally, patients attempt to conceal balding areas by using wigs, hats, scarves, hair clips, makeup, or even tattoos.

Trichotillomania's Root Cause

Medical professionals have a limited understanding of trichotillomania's origins. Many people attribute this mostly to heredity. Trichotillomania and other forms of obsessive behavior may occasionally be inherited. Due to the fact that both OCD and trichotillomania are anxiety illnesses, some doctors believe the two may be linked. This is one reason why stress and anxiety may amplify the urges that lead to hair pulling.

Trichologists believe that a chemical imbalance in the brain is at the root of the disorder. Neurotransmitters are a kind of chemical messenger used by the brain. Problems, such as obsessive behaviors, may arise when neurotransmitters are disrupted.

Because of the medical nature of trichotillomania, most patients cannot simply decide to quit pulling out their hair. Medical professionals are often the only ones who can help a person with trichotillomania finally quit. Most individuals are able to stop their hair-pulling habits once they get professional assistance. Therapy, medicine, or both may be used to provide this assistance.

In some treatments, patients learn to detect the signs of an impending desire to pull their hair out before the urge becomes overwhelming. The patient develops strategies for overcoming the desire, which eventually causes it to go away.

When the impulse to pull out one's hair is really strong, many individuals find it beneficial to distract themselves by doing something else (such as squeezing a stress ball or painting). Knitting in front of the television is only one example of a calming hobby.