and how do people get it?
2006-08-11 19:41:39 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science ➔ Psychology
Ah, trichotillomania; quite literally meaning "Hair Pulling Madness". I think it's Greek. I have it. Really sucks. Some people think it is hereditary, but no one in my family has it. In others, mothers and daughters might all have it. It's definitely related to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. There's no real way to "get" it, it's not a virus. It's just in your genes or it's not. For instance, my (fraternal) twin sister doesn't have it. Lucky me. It mostly affects females, but there is a small amount of males who have trichotillomania, too.
Most start pulling their hair young, maybe from 5-12 give or take. I started at 11. I'm 23 now. Many with trich (the short term for it) do pull their hair out till they are bald or have bald spots. I've fortunately managed to mostly avoid that. Not completely, though. I don't think it ever goes away, but some do manage to control it with medication, diet (this one I don't know about), and reconditioning of one's actions. Causes of triggering hair pulling are stress, anxiety, and boredom, plus more, though it can be different for others.
Those with trichotillomania can pull from any area of hair on their body, scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, arm hair, leg hair, underarm hair, and pubic hair. I have urges to pull from my scalp, but no urges to pull from my eyelashes or eyebrows. Sometimes those with trich only go after certain types of hair, like white hairs or coarse hairs. Everybody and their habits are different, though. Many have not heard of this. I've even had to educate a few doctors.
If you have it, you do not need to feel ashamed. There are others out there, and you are not a freak.
2006-08-11 21:28:31 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Compulsive Hair Puller
2006-08-12 02:47:20 · answer #2 · answered by col 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Trichotillomania is a compulsive behavior in which the person is constantly pulling out their own hair to a noticeable degree. I don't know how you get it or if anyone knows.
2006-08-12 02:47:13 · answer #3 · answered by catintrepid 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
trich·o·til·lo·ma·ni·a
The compulsion to tear or pluck out the hair on one's head and face and often to ingest it.
A compulsion to pull out one's own hair.
An irresistible urge to pull out your own hair
2006-08-12 02:50:05 · answer #4 · answered by black_ca_scorpio 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
tricholtillomania - where people pull out their hair and eye lashes? think u're just born with it. See http://www.trichotillomania.co.uk/
2006-08-12 03:01:23 · answer #5 · answered by rainbowbrite 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is when you pull out your hair.
2006-08-12 02:47:28 · answer #6 · answered by ne11 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
r u naked?........hehehehe
2006-08-12 16:26:12 · answer #7 · answered by A. 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋