What is Trichotillomania?

Trichotillomania, sometimes shortened to ‘trich’ or referred to as compulsive hair pulling is characterised by a repetitive urge to pull at hairs from your head or body. It may be your scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows, genital areas and / or other parts of your body.

There are many factors contributing to what drives this behaviour and this varies greatly from person to person and the circumstances. For some, and at times, pulling hairs may be a way to relieve stress or anxiety, although many people are not aware of its function at the time of pulling. At other times it may be a way to manage boredom.

Often, it’s the case that pulling occurs without any conscious forethought and it simply habitual. Most agree that there is some sense of relief afterward.  However, the longer-term consequences can be quite distressing, many people with trichotillomania often go to lengths to hide their loss of hair and it can impact self-esteem and confidence levels.

Do I have trichotillomania?

You may have trichotillomania if several of the below resonate:

Symptoms of trichotillomania

• I pull my hair when I am concentrating on another activity.
• I pull my hair when I am thinking about something unrelated to hair pulling.
• I am in an almost “trance-like” state when I pull my hair.
• I have thoughts about wanting to pull my hair before I actually pull.
• I use tweezers or some other device other than my fingers to pull my hair.
• I pull my hair while I am looking in the mirror.
• I am usually not aware of pulling my hair during a pulling episode
• I pull my hair when I am anxious or upset
• I intentionally start pulling my hair.
• I pull my hair when I am experiencing a negative emotion, such as stress, anger, frustration, or sadness.
• I have a “strange” sensation just before I pull my hair.
• I don’t notice that I have pulled my hair until after it’s happened.
• I pull my hair because of something that has happened to me during the day.
• I pull my hair to get rid of an unpleasant urge, feeling, or thought.
• I pull my hair to control how I feel

Online therapy and treatment for trichotillomania

There are many approaches that have been found to be helpful in helping people to manage trichotillomania, particularly CBT, and ACT. There is also emerging research for the effectiveness of EMDR.

At Counselling Psychology Online, our online therapists are trained in these approaches and have several years’ experience in helping people overcome trichotillomania. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like to arrange an initial assessment session with one of our therapists.

You may also wish to look at our resources page for further ideas of getting help to managing your mood and anxiety, which contribute to hair pulling.

FAQs

Please see answers to some of our most frequently asked questions about Trichotillomania. Please email [email protected] or telephone 07584 328192 for any other questions, or to find out more about treatment of Trichotillomania today.