Trichotillomania (Hair Pulling Disorder)
The essential feature of Trichotillomania (Hair Pulling Disorder) is the recurrent pulling out of one’s own hair. Hair pulling may occur from any region of the body in which it grows, but the most common sites include the scalp, eyebrows and eyelids. The hair pulling sites may vary over time and this behavior may occur in brief episodes scattered throughout the day or during less frequent but sustained periods of time for several hours. As a result of pulling one’s hair, there is a resulting hair loss. Repeated attempts to decrease or stop the hair pulling is quite challenging for the person who has it. The hair pulling itself causes distress and it is not attributable to other medical conditions. In adults and adolescents, the incidence is 1 to 2%, with females being more likely to be effected than males and a ratio of 10 to 1. The clinicians at Silber Psychological Services offer individual therapy with a strong behavioral component to diminish hair pulling.
For additional information: