Trichotillomania Essay - 722 Words

Trichotillomania is a psychological disorder, resulting in an individual having an overwhelming urge to pull their hair out. The individual may either intentional pull the hair out or it may be the result of unconscious behavior. Hair is pulled from the scalp, eyebrows, arms, legs, pubic area and/or any other area on the body where there is hair. The method for pulling hair out, is typically done with the fingers, however, some individuals will use items such as tweezers, for removing the hair. The crown area of the scalp, is the primary area where individuals with trichotillomania begin pulling hair from. Over an extended period of time they will develop large bald spots on their head. In attempt to avoid additional bald spots, they†¦show more content†¦The individual with trichotillomania will often display an increase in tension or stress, immediately prior to pulling hair. They will also have a display of gratification or pleasure as well as relief during and after pulling out the hair. Psychological Effects There is often a tremendous amount of shame and/or guilt associated with the symptoms, as well as the after effects (the baldness), of this diagnosis that it is often unreported. The low percentage of reports also result in lack of treatment. These individuals tend to perform their hair pulling behaviors in private. The majority of these individuals feel as though they are the only ones with this problem. They will often wear hats, scarves and wigs, or style their hair in a fashion that will not bring attention to the loss of hair. A decrease in social interactions often occurs, due to the embarrassment the individual feels from the noticeable hair loss. It is not uncommon for individuals with this diagnosis to become depressed, anxious and/or develop low self-esteem. Though the individual may not have previously been diagnosed with a mental illness, the effects of the trichotillomania will often lead to them seeking help for the depression and/or anxiety.Show MoreRelatedTrichotillomania1591 Words   |  7 PagesTrichotillomania is defined as a self-induced and recurrent loss of hair.[3] It includes the criterion of an increasing sense of tension before pulling the hair and gratification or relief when pulling the hair.[1] However, some people with trichotillomania do not endorse the inclusion of rising tension and subsequent pleasure, gratification, or relief as part of the criteria;[1] because many individuals with trichotillomania may not realize they are pulling their hair, patients presenting forRead More Trichotillomania Onset Pregnancy699 Words   |  3 PagesIntroduction: Trichotillomania is characterized by recurrent episodes of hair pulling behavior leading to noticeable loss of hair, increasing tension before hair-pulling or while coping with the urge to pull out hair, taking pleasure or a sense of relief while pulling out hair, and social, occupational, and functional impairment1. Trichotillomania can involve any area in the body; however, the most common areas are the scalp, followed by the eyebrows and eyelashes in children and in adults2. TheRead MoreThe Stigma Of Receiving Therapy For Mental Illness1592 Words   |  7 PagesOne of the most difficult aspects of treating patients who suffer from trichotillomania (TTM), commonly called hair pulling disorder, is that most prefer to remain invisible. They are creative at finding ways to hide their illness. Most cover up with head scarves, hats, hoodies, and carry on as if nothing is wrong.Treatment for TTM is accessible through the NHS, yet the stigma of receiving therapy for mental illness is still strong enough to keep many patients with TTM away from psychologists, evenRead MoreCommunication and Intersection between Human Mind and Skin914 Words   |  4 Pagesbridge the two entities into a cohesive model. One of the dermatologic manifestations of psychiatric disease is observed in trichotillomania. Tricoti llomania remains one of the lesser researched areas in psychiatry. Many theories and potential treatments exist, yet conclusive and well-constructed studies are still lacking. Much of the core understanding of trichotillomania stems from very few studies and anecdotal evidence. The mind and skin are connected in a multitude of ways. The most obviousRead MoreBusiness Management3832 Words   |  16 PagesJournal of Behavioral Consultation and Therapy Volume 2, No. 1, 2006 Trichotillomania: Behavioral Assessment and Treatment Interventions Brandy L. Kell Victoria E. Kress Abstract This article examines the behavioral treatment of Trichotillomania. A brief overview of the diagnosis and assessment of Trichotillomania is provided. Guidelines for a structured clinical evaluation when working with people diagnosed with Trichotillomania are supplied. The most effective behavioral interventions and treatmentsRead MoreThe, That Makes Your Hair Disappear1751 Words   |  8 Pagespresident of Trichotillomania Learning Center, recalls that, â€Å"The rhythm of running my fingers over my eyebrows is soothing. One half of my mind is attuned to the texture of each hair, the tickle against my thumb.† Very soon, she would feel that â€Å"... this hair feels out of place; it’s too thick, too coarse. I need to get it out.† This is the urge that has been haunting her since her childhood. As she entered her adulthood, she learned that she is not the only one with trichotillomania, the impulse-controlRead More Chronic Hair Pulling Essay2892 Words   |  12 Pageswithout pulling out her hair since she was 12 years old, she said. Rivers, a 19-year-old from Harrisville, Rhode Island who works in a local restaurant, has struggled with the impulse control disorder known as trichotillomania, the urge to pull out one’s own hair. Trichotillomania, often referred to as trich or TTM, was first documented by the French dermatologist, Francois Henri Hallopeau over 100 years ago and derives from the Greek words, â€Å"trich† (hair), â€Å"tillo† (to pull) and â€Å"mania† (impulse)Read MoreObsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Essay examples1375 Words   |  6 PagesDisorder (BDD). BDD is where a person has obsessive thoughts about his or her body, looking for abnormalities. They then spend hours examining the â€Å"defective† body part and may never leave home because of their embarrassment. Another OCD disorder is Trichotillomania (TTM). A person with TTM compulsively pulls out hairs from their head, arms, legs, eyebrows, and pubic area. TTM sufferers spend hours searching until the à ¢â‚¬Å"perfect hair† is found. They often feel driven to pull out their hairs because they thinkRead MoreObsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Essay2901 Words   |  12 Pagesactually a â€Å"spectrum† disease, OC Spectrum.  Ã‚  While OCD has some distinct biological components, it shares some of these components with some other illnesses.  Ã‚  OC Spectrum includes but is not limited to illnesses such as:  Ã‚  Tourette’s Syndrome,  Trichotillomania, Body  dysmorphic  disorder, Tic disorders, Compulsive skin picking, Eating disorders, and  Hypochondriasis  (OCF).  Ã‚  A key connection in all of the possible linked disorders is a person’s repetitive and obsessive thoughts or actions.  Ã‚  Another ideaRead MoreThe And Post Traumatic Stress Disorder1624 Words   |  7 Pagesdo not recall the name of my classmate or if he even survived that horrible attack.) As a result of witnessing this incident, I had developed a brief case of trichotillomania. People who have trichotillomania have an irresistible urge to pull out their hair, usually from their scalp, eyelashes, and eyebrows. Trichotillomania is a type of impulse control disorder. People with these disorders know that they can do damage by acting on the impulses, but they cannot stop themselves. They may