Information about trichotillomania for Health Professionals
Trichotillomania (pronounced TRY-KO-till-o-mania) is a DSM-IVR impulse control disorder which compels some people to pull out their hair. This can include scalp hair, eyelashes, eyebrows, body hair or any combination of those. Hair pulling can also occur during sleep; this is called Sleep-Isolated Trichotillomania. The average age of onset is 12 years and symptoms can vary in severity.
Triggers include stress and anxiety, boredom, tiredness, hunger or eating certain foods (commonly sugar and caffeine). Hair pulling differs from self-harm because hair pulling mostly doesn’t hurt; in fact it usually feels pleasurable. Pulling the hair feels good due to a release of dopamine in the brain. You can read more about why people pull their hair out.
51% of 11,625 people we asked had never mentioned hair pulling to their doctor because they were too embarrassed, didn’t think their doctor would help or didn’t know it was a recognised condition. There ARE ways to treat trichotillomania, so we are extremely keen to raise awareness.