Trichotillomania is a serious illness affecting many people worldwide. Similar to other obsessive habits like food addiction and gambling, persons with trichotillomania struggle with self-control, frequently pulling their hair out unintentionally.
Although the causes of trichotillomania are still unknown, experts believe it is a unison of multiple reasons.
Trichotillomania is a hair-pulling disorder that manifests as an uncontrollable need to remove one's own hair from various parts of the body. For example, individuals with trichotillomania may pull hairs from their eyebrows, scalp, or eyelashes. Also, patients might pull hairs from the pubic area, chest, limb, and underarm.
Patients with this sort of impulse control disorder may experience stress, worry, and a strong urge to pull their hair, followed by feelings of relief. Although patients' persistent twisting, tugging, and twirling of their hair may be considered typical activity, trichotillomania is characterised by observable hair loss.
A few of the symptoms of trichotillomania include the following –
Besides, individuals can also witness a few side effects, including –
Although medical professionals are still finding the exact cause behind the causes of hair pulling, a few of the possible ones include –
Children, teenagers, and grown-ups of all sexes can develop trichotillomania. Regardless, a few examples of risk factors for developing trichotillomania are as follows -
It's critical to rule out alternative hair loss reasons, particularly alopecia areata. Regardless, a dermatological evaluation could consist of the following-
Trichotillomania or TTM is a complicated disorder; therefore, treatment might not produce quick outcomes. However, therapy, medication and lifestyle changes can effectively treat it. Still, it might take time.
The most often utilised psychotherapy treatments for trichotillomania are dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and habit reversal therapy (HRT).
Although each of these therapies has advantages, HRT is the most researched and effective TTM treatment.
Although no medications are currently licensed to cure TTM, doctors may recommend antidepressants. This is because there may be a link between the disorder and serotonin levels, and antidepressants might be effective. However, other medications may also be suggested by doctors.
One treatment for trichotillomania that doctors regularly suggest is acetylcysteine (Mucomyst), which aids in modifying TTM's rewarding effects. Also, for TTM, it is advised to take tricyclics (TCAs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), two antidepressants.
TTM can negatively affect a person's lifestyle and general well-being. So, Individuals should adopt healthy lifestyle modifications to alleviate symptoms to dwindle their influence:
It is essential to consult your doctor if you can't control your urge to pull hair and if you feel satisfaction after pulling a hair out. Also, consult your doctor immediately if you witness bald patches on your scalp resulting from hair pulling.
Trichotillomania cannot be prevented singly. However, addressing the underlying unfavourable feelings may aid in preventing the recurrence of the temptation to pull your hair out. Finding ways to manage your stress and lessen it could help you feel less like yanking your hair out. You might also want to look into stress management therapy.
Trichotillomania is a widespread illness that affects individuals worldwide and is thought to be curable. In this regard, therapy and medication are just two options for managing it. Also, you can diminish its effects if you are well aware of the causes of trichotillomania and stay aloof from those in the first place.
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Disclaimer #2: This information is added only for informative purposes and collected from different sources across the Internet. Digit Insurance is not promoting or recommending anything here. Please verify the information before making any decisions.
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