She is 8 and she used to pull out her eyelashes and now she pulls out her hair (and is starting to develop bald patches in the back of her head). Her mother spanks her for it but she is so sweet that when you ask her why she does it, she simply says, "I can't help it." Is this some sort of disorder? I feel like if I can bring some tangible evidence to her mother, maybe she can quit spanking her and take her to a doctor!
2007-12-20 11:17:49 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
The condition is known as trichotillomania. It is classified as an impulse control disorder. There may be an overlap with obsessive compulsive disorder.
A psychologist or psychiatrist might be able to help, but it is not easy to cure. Spanking is not helpful. Persons affected with trichotillomania already have low esteem.
2007-12-20 11:31:22 · answer #1 · answered by greydoc6 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
oh my god. first of all, spanking has not solved any problem in the history of children. especially an 8 year old who is way too old for this kind of discipline. now second of all, this is a kind of disorder. there was a girl in my school who had it, it's an emotional disorder, or some kind of obsessive compulsive disorder. it can be caused by stress, or feelings of helplessness. people with obsessive compulsive disorder have an imbalance of chemicals in their brains and it makes them obsessed with things, most commonly, washing their hands. if you ask someone with ocd why they wash their hands so much they will tell you, "i can't help it". just like your cousin says. and punishing someone will only make their pain worse. what your aunt doesn't realize is that when she spanks your cousin for pulling her hair it makes your cousin feel ashamed of herself for something she literally can't help, just like a sneeze or a hiccup. exentually your cousin might start pulling her hair in private, or move on to more dangerous habits like cutting her wrists or something. tell your aunt to get with it! and get your poor cousin to a psychiatrist immediately before she messes her up any more. i'm sorry but that makes me furious that an 8 year old child is being spanked for something she cannot help. you sound like a wonderful cousin and she is lucky to have you in her support system.
2007-12-20 19:52:25 · answer #2 · answered by Danielle R 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Trichotillomania. its a disorder of the brain.The best thing to do is, shave her head clean. After she gets alright, let the hair grow.
2007-12-20 19:30:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, it is a disorder. it's called trichotillomania. heard about this in my grade 11 bio class at some point. read this article.
http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/mental_health/trichotillomania.html
2007-12-20 19:26:05 · answer #4 · answered by Kevin C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I actually knew someone who used to pull her hair out. They can't help it. She's 24 and still does it. She doesn't realize she's doing it. People have to let her know that she's pulling it out. I think your aunt should mention that she's doing it, to her pediatrician.
2007-12-20 19:27:05 · answer #5 · answered by captainlualbano 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you need to take her to the doctor. my friend has it and your cousin cant help it. the disease it called Trichotillomania. Here is a link. I hope it helps!!!
http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/mental_health/trichotillomania.html
2007-12-20 19:27:44 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
some times be cause is did something wrong and now she is sarcerd that she might get in trouble and she is nervous
2007-12-20 19:31:08 · answer #7 · answered by cool 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋