Hair Pulling Diseases

Trichotillomania is the name of the disease where a person pulls or twists her hair until it breaks. The causes of the disease are not understood.

Occurance

Trichotillomania affects about 4 percent of the population and affects more women than men, according to the National Institutes of Health. Four times as many women than men are affected by trichotillomania.

Scope

People afflicted with trichotillomania may pull out more than just their head hair. They may also pluck or pull out eyelashes, eyebrows or other body hair.

Age of affliction

Those who are afflicted at a younger age (before age 5, typically) have a better chance of recovery than those afflicted at older ages. In most cases the symptoms do begin before the age of 17.

Complications

In some cases, persons with trichotillomania will eat their hair, causing further complications. When someone with trichotillomania eats her hair, the disease is known as trichophagia.

Treatment

Treatment can take the form of medication or behavioral therapy. The medication typically prescribed are SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) or naltrexone.

Identification

The disease can often be identified by noticing patchy or uneven hair, observing pulling on the hair and other self-injury behaviors.

References

• Trichotillomania