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Trichotillomania is a type of psychological condition that involves strong urges to pull hair.
Trichotillomania (TTM) or "trich" is an impulse control disorder characterised by the repeated urge to
pull out hair:
It may be distantly related to obsessive-compulsive disorder, with which it shares both similarities and
differences. Trichotillomania has been mentioned as a disorder in very early historical records. Onset
generally occurs at puberty. There is a strong stress-related component, that is, in low-stress
environments some stop pulling altogether. Pulling resumes when one leaves this environment. 80%
of those afflicted are female. Evidence is now starting to accumulate pointing to TTM as being genetic in
origin[citation needed]. Stimulant abuse has also been known to cause, or at least trigger episodes of,
trichotillomania.
Most TTM sufferers live relatively normal lives, except for having bald spots on their head, among their
eyelashes, or brows. Eyelashes have been reported to grow back thinner or in much lesser amounts.
An additional danger is from the low self-esteem which comes from being shunned by peers, and the
fear of socializing due to appearance. Many clinicians classify TTM as a mental disorder, though the
classification is debatable. Some clinicians classify TTM as a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Some classify TTM as a form of self-harm. Some say it is neurobiological condition. Others say that
TTM is no more a mental disorder than is any other habitual behavior, such as nail biting
(onychophagia) or compulsive skin picking (dermatotillomania), while others say that it is a type of
addiction. Many TTM sufferers have relatively normal work and social lives; and TTM sufferers are not
any more likely to have significant personality disorders than anyone else.
.
While there is no cure, there are some treatments. There have been a few small and not well-controlled
clinical trials of drug treatment for trichotillomania, for example using such drugs as anafranil, prozac,
and lithium. No one medication has been shown to have a particular advantage over any other, and
drugs alone have not been shown to be particularly effective for many people. One should use care in
choosing a therapist who has specific training, experience, and insight into the condition, lest one be
overdiagnosed or over-medicated. Prozac and other similar drugs, which some professionals
prescribe on a one-size-fits-all basis, tend to have limited usefulness in treating TTM, and can often
have significant side effects.
A practice related to TTM is trichophagia, in which hairs are swallowed. In extreme cases, this can lead
to the development of a hairball (trichobezoar) in the abdomen, a serious condition in humans; see
Rapunzel syndrome. A trichobezoar can lead to intestinal blockage, which may only be relieved via
surgery.
Trichotillomania (TTM) or "trich" is an impulse control disorder characterised by the repeated urge to
pull out hair:
- scalp hair
- eyelashes
- beard hair
- nose hair
- pubic hair
- eyebrows
- or other body hair
It may be distantly related to obsessive-compulsive disorder, with which it shares both similarities and
differences. Trichotillomania has been mentioned as a disorder in very early historical records. Onset
generally occurs at puberty. There is a strong stress-related component, that is, in low-stress
environments some stop pulling altogether. Pulling resumes when one leaves this environment. 80%
of those afflicted are female. Evidence is now starting to accumulate pointing to TTM as being genetic in
origin[citation needed]. Stimulant abuse has also been known to cause, or at least trigger episodes of,
trichotillomania.
Most TTM sufferers live relatively normal lives, except for having bald spots on their head, among their
eyelashes, or brows. Eyelashes have been reported to grow back thinner or in much lesser amounts.
An additional danger is from the low self-esteem which comes from being shunned by peers, and the
fear of socializing due to appearance. Many clinicians classify TTM as a mental disorder, though the
classification is debatable. Some clinicians classify TTM as a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Some classify TTM as a form of self-harm. Some say it is neurobiological condition. Others say that
TTM is no more a mental disorder than is any other habitual behavior, such as nail biting
(onychophagia) or compulsive skin picking (dermatotillomania), while others say that it is a type of
addiction. Many TTM sufferers have relatively normal work and social lives; and TTM sufferers are not
any more likely to have significant personality disorders than anyone else.
.
While there is no cure, there are some treatments. There have been a few small and not well-controlled
clinical trials of drug treatment for trichotillomania, for example using such drugs as anafranil, prozac,
and lithium. No one medication has been shown to have a particular advantage over any other, and
drugs alone have not been shown to be particularly effective for many people. One should use care in
choosing a therapist who has specific training, experience, and insight into the condition, lest one be
overdiagnosed or over-medicated. Prozac and other similar drugs, which some professionals
prescribe on a one-size-fits-all basis, tend to have limited usefulness in treating TTM, and can often
have significant side effects.
A practice related to TTM is trichophagia, in which hairs are swallowed. In extreme cases, this can lead
to the development of a hairball (trichobezoar) in the abdomen, a serious condition in humans; see
Rapunzel syndrome. A trichobezoar can lead to intestinal blockage, which may only be relieved via
surgery.
EndAllThePain.com
Breaking the Silence of Self-Injury
Breaking the Silence of Self-Injury
| The official website for Vicki F. Duffy Author - Inspiring Speaker - Advocate |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| Tricholtillomania Links: |
Stop Pulling.com: StopPulling.com is
an easy to use, on-line behavioral
program designed to help individuals
manage their trichotillomania.
Tricholtillomania Learning Center:
is a nationally based nonprofit
organization that works to improve the
quality of life of children, adolescents
and adults with Trichotillomania and
related body-focused repetitive
disorders such.
Tricholtillomania UK: This site is run by
permanently pull free people with
trichotillomania. We keep up-to-date of
new advances and offer long-term,
active support.
National Mental Health Association
an easy to use, on-line behavioral
program designed to help individuals
manage their trichotillomania.
Tricholtillomania Learning Center:
is a nationally based nonprofit
organization that works to improve the
quality of life of children, adolescents
and adults with Trichotillomania and
related body-focused repetitive
disorders such.
Tricholtillomania UK: This site is run by
permanently pull free people with
trichotillomania. We keep up-to-date of
new advances and offer long-term,
active support.
National Mental Health Association
| AS SEEN ON THE 700 CLUB Author Vicki Duffy got caught up in a lifestyle of self-inflicted hitting, cutting, burning and hair-pulling. She now lives a life free of any addictions. Pass this on to anyone; those struggling with self-injury, or those who need to know more about self-injury. Let's break the silence! |
