Trichotillomania Essay, Research Paper

Trichotillomania

Trichotillomania is classified as an impulse control disorder. This disorder causes people to pull out their hair or eyebrows in order to satisfy urges that are irresistible. A sense of tension usually accompanies the urge to pull out the hair and relief once the hair has been pulled. The exact cause of trichotillomania is unknown. Stressful situations are believed as a cause of some of these cases. Trichotillomania is a subcategory of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Dermatology conditions have no relation to this disorder. Some play with and look at the root of the hair, once the hair has been pulled. Eating the pulled hair is not uncommon.

Where do TTM sufferers pull their hair from?

Scalp 75%

Eyelashes 53%

Eyebrows 42%

Pubic area 17%

Beard/face 10%

Mustache 7%

Arm 10%

Leg 7%

Chest 3%

Abdomen 2%

Isolation and the changing of one s behavior are often signs of trichotillomania. A constant removal of hair causes a noticeable baldness. People try to hide this, not just physically. Shame and embarrassment set in and people become less sociable. The disorder interferes with relationships and their jobs. Patients often believe that he/she is the only person who has this type of problem. Trichotillomania tends to affect more women than men. This usually happens during childhood, although trichotillomania can occur at any age. When the truth is shared with family and friends, people are often afraid of rejection or ridicule.

Treatments for trichotillomania vary, depending on the condition of the patient. Certain medications are used to treat this disorder, yet nothing is promisable. Medications used in this treatment include chlorpromazine, isocurboxazid, amitriptyline, and imiprimine. Anti depressant medications, such as Prozac, tend to reduce many urges to pull the hair. Medications may also be imperfect for some in terms of the side effects they produce. Sometimes these side effects prevent individuals from taking effectively high enough doses to lower their symptoms substantially. One other situation where medications cannot help is in the case of women who wish to become pregnant and need to be drug-free. There are three main types of behavior therapy used to treat TTM. One is known as Habit Reversal Training, and it includes awareness, relaxation, breathing, and competing response training. Cognitive-Behavior monitoring involves changing one’s thoughts, which in turn change one’s behaviors. Another type of behavior training advocated by TLC stresses practice, patience, praise, and consistency. There have been reports of many other things that have helped pullers such as hypnosis, biofeedback, the John Kender Diet, Kava-Kava, and other herbs. However, only medications and behavior therapy have been tested in controlled scientific studies and found to be effective in treating trich. Doctors recommend behavior therapy, medications, self-monitoring, and support groups.