Guide to Trichotillomania OCD

Trichotillomania is an OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) in which a patient has an endless urge to pull their hair from somewhere on the body. Most people use their hands to remove their hair while others use instruments such as tweezers. People with Trichotillomania feel restless or uncomfortable until they pull their hair out.  

Trichotillomania is common among adolescents. In most cases, it starts the same time as puberty. 

Those with Trichotillomania may develop bald patches as a result of pulling their hair. In the case of balding, patients result in using scarves, false hair/eyelashes, and hats.  In instances where hair loss cannot be covered, most with trichotillomania will keep away from social gatherings. In the end, the patients suffer from low self-esteem and embarrassment. 

In other instances, sufferers chew the hair they pull from their bodies. Although the disease is curable, some people suffer from the condition all their life if they do not seek treatment. 
​
Patients tend to isolate themselves due to the shame associated with balding. If the balding is pronounced, friends and relatives will start to talk about it. If you are beginning to isolate yourself or just can't stop, it is time to seek help. 

Causes of Trichotillomania OC

​The three leading causes include:

• An obsessive-compulsive disorder mainly caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain
• Stress and anxiety- some people use it to deal with stress and anxiety
• Hormonal level changes during puberty

Risk Factors ​

• The condition is common among people of ages 10 to 13
• High level of stress could trigger the disease
• People with OCD, anxiety, or depression 

​

Symptoms of Trichotillomania OCD

• The sufferer finds relief after they pull their hair
• Hair loss as a result of hair pulling
• Unexplainable urge to pull out one's hair
• Uncontrollable tension when you resist to, or, before you pull out the hair
• Hair loss unaccounted for by any dermatological conditions 
• Swallowing hair, cutting it into pieces or, playing with hair that has been pulled out 

​

Treatment for Trichotillomania OCD

Treatment of Trichotillomania OCD is not straight forward: some people try various strategies before they find one that helps them cope with the condition. There are two main treatment methods:
Medication

• Medicines prescribed by your psychiatrist can help to relieve symptoms such as anxiety, any obsessive-compulsive symptoms, or depression.  

Behavioral treatments include:

• Habit reversal therapy is a strategy that focuses on substituting hair pulling with other harmless activities. Patients focus on journaling and different techniques to curb the effects of hair pulling triggers. 
• Therapy can be group, family, cognitive, or process-oriented therapy. Family therapies are useful if the patient is an adolescent or child. The treatment helps parents to understand their child and what they are going through and how to help manage the symptoms better. Process-oriented therapies focus on talks, which helps to identify the emotions behind the condition and triggers. Group therapy provides moral support from other people who have Trichotillomania OCD. 
• Relaxation training helps individuals to relax their central nervous system to manage stress. In self-awareness training, people learn to track their hair pulling patterns. The training heightens an individual's awareness of when they pull hair and emotions that trigger hair removal. Deep breathing therapy can also be helpful.  

Trichotillomania is a DSM-5 mental health disorder, so you need to seek medical care for the disease to go away. ​