Also known as “Hair pulling syndrome” or “Pathological Hair pulling” is characterized by irresistible urge to pull out one’s hair and the extent of the urge is so extreme that after pulling out hair commonly from the head and eyebrows the person has a brief moment of relief and satisfaction. Royal Hairnic has been assisting patients to deal with trichotillomania in a very cost-effective and result-oriented manner.

SIGNS/SYMPTOMS:

1. Urge to pull out hair while experiencing stressful situations.

2. Sense of relief after pulling out hair from head or eyebrows most commonly but including beard, legs. 

3. Attempts to prevent pulling hair resulting in stress and anxiety.

4. Behaviours such as obsessing over hair root, counting hair, chewing or swallowing hair which might result in abdominal pain, vomiting, etc.

5. Indulging in hair pulling for hours in a day.

CAUSES:

The exact causes cannot be concluded but the following have been the most common causes among the people having Trichotillomania.

1. Situations causing anxiety or depression may lead to hair pulling as after the episode of hair pulling a sense of relief follows and which then turns into a vicious cycle.

2. One more common cause noticed is Obsessive-compulsive disorder which is a chemical imbalance in the brain.

3. The risk of developing trichotillomania from family is high even though the majority don’t end up inheriting it.

4. Some studies by researchers have suggested that structural and functional abnormalities in the brain, as frontal lobes that are responsible for inhibiting such habits may not function properly resulting in developing habit disorder.

DIAGNOSIS:

1. Diagnosing Trichotillomania is challenging as individuals may not be open to discuss regarding the urge to pull out hair due to embarrassment.

2. Individuals may try to hide the hair loss using hair wigs or fake eyelashes making diagnosis difficult.

3. In cases where the person is unwilling to discuss or consult regarding such behaviour, a different diagnosis may be prescribed such as evaluation for alopecia aerate, hypothyroidism, tinea capitis, iron deficiency, and thallium poisoning.

4. As a person may not be open, consulting a psychologist or a psychiatrist may be an option to evaluate any signs of Obsessive-compulsive disorder leading to pulling hair.

5. Every treatment at Royal Hairnic will be safely prescribed under professional supervision so that the best treatment can be prescribed to you not just to treat the symptoms but also the underlying problem.

TREATMENT:

1. The most successful psychotherapy treatment in treating Trichotillomania is Habit Reversal Training (HRT). The individual is trained to first identify the situations or environment triggering the urge to pull hair and then to redirect this urge to something not harmful and productive.

2. Medication may be prescribed to supplement the treatment. Anti-depressants prescribed by doctors might help to control extreme urges while slowly learning how to redirect the urge to pull hair.

3. Behavioural therapy to modify the behaviour pattern in such individuals can help treat Trichotillomania.

4. We understand the treatment might be stressful and at Royal Hairnic, we provide support to you, so that the whole process becomes a lot easier and comfortable.

OTHER FACTORS TO CONSIDER:

1. Stress management can be quite helpful as it is the most common cause.

2. Infection and permanent skin damage are most likely to occur in such cases if not treated at an early stage.

3. Getting proper help at the right will help a lot in dealing with Trichotillomania. We at Royal Hairnic are completely focused on providing the best medical care possible. Our trustworthy staff will be with you all along making your experience with us worthwhile. 

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