Trichotillomania

Which are the symptoms of Trichotillomania?

See the worst symptoms of affected by Trichotillomania here

Symptoms of Trichotillomania

Trichotillomania is a mental disorder characterized by the irresistible urge to pull out one's own hair. It is classified as an impulse control disorder and can have a significant impact on a person's daily life. The symptoms of trichotillomania can vary in severity and may include:

Compulsive hair pulling: The primary symptom of trichotillomania is the recurrent and compulsive pulling out of hair. This can occur from any part of the body where hair grows, such as the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, or other body areas.

Tension or anxiety before pulling: Individuals with trichotillomania often experience a build-up of tension or anxiety before engaging in hair pulling. This tension is relieved temporarily by the act of pulling out hair.

Pleasure or gratification: Hair pulling is typically accompanied by a sense of pleasure, gratification, or relief. This reinforces the behavior and makes it more difficult to stop.

Loss of control: People with trichotillomania often feel a lack of control over their hair pulling. They may have unsuccessful attempts to stop or reduce the behavior, despite negative consequences.

Visible hair loss: Prolonged and repetitive hair pulling can lead to noticeable hair loss or thinning in the affected areas. This can cause distress and embarrassment, leading to social withdrawal or avoidance of certain activities.

Preoccupation with hair: Individuals with trichotillomania may spend a significant amount of time thinking about their hair, examining it, or searching for specific hairs to pull. This preoccupation can interfere with daily functioning.

Attempts to conceal hair loss: Due to the visible consequences of hair pulling, individuals may make efforts to hide their hair loss. They may wear hats, wigs, or use makeup to cover up bald patches or thinning areas.

Feelings of shame and guilt: Trichotillomania can lead to feelings of shame, guilt, or embarrassment. Individuals may feel ashamed of their inability to control the behavior or may be embarrassed by the visible signs of hair loss.

Physical complications: In some cases, trichotillomania can result in physical complications such as skin infections, repetitive strain injuries, or damage to the hair follicles.

Emotional distress: Living with trichotillomania can cause significant emotional distress. Individuals may feel frustrated, anxious, or depressed due to the impact of the disorder on their self-esteem, body image, and overall well-being.

It is important to note that trichotillomania is a complex disorder, and symptoms can vary from person to person. Some individuals may experience mild symptoms that are easily manageable, while others may struggle with severe symptoms that require professional intervention. If you or someone you know is exhibiting symptoms of trichotillomania, it is recommended to seek help from a mental health professional for diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

by Diseasemaps

Anxiety, confusion, despair, diffidence, insecure, pain, pleasure.

5/21/17 by Ksantamariar 600

Personally, I believe the worst part of this disability/disorder are having a pulling fit where you go into a trance and once you snap out of it you see the damage that you've done. The feelings that come with that are the worst and it's hard to come back from that and start over.

6/14/17 by Jfeint87 325

Hair pulling, depression.

8/10/17 by Katlyn 1400

Having bald patches, especially if your a women having a image to look up to, and trying the keep up with what society says we should look like.

8/10/17 by Lucyeleanor2601 2620

Walking around bald, people thinking I have cancer

8/10/17 by Debra 300

Hair loss. Especially during middle school. It's very harmful to self confidence and can cause you to be reclusive.

8/10/17 by Kathryn 450

Irrational and incessant desire to pull one's hair out. For some, this is linked with anxiety or stress. For others, like myself, it is an impulse in itself, no matter my mood. It's like my head burns and itches and screams for relief, which can only come when a hair is removed with the root from a certain spot.

8/10/17 by Shirley 2150

Hair loss and bald spots are the primary symptoms of Trichotillomania, but secondary symptoms can also be quite severe. Secondary symptoms include anxiety, depression, shame, social withdrawal, stress, and suicidal thoughts, just to name a few.

8/10/17 by Ellen 2161

Not having hair is very limiting. Getting rid of the anxiety would be so great.

8/11/17 by Michele 990

Stress and boredom are the main symptoms.

8/11/17 by Grubz10 300

The urge to pull is the defining symptom of trichotillomania, so it makes sense that it would also be the worst. Without the urge, many who suffer from trichotillomania would not pull, although there are also many who pull out of habit. The urge to pull can be manifested as a tingling or itchy sensation in the skin where the hair follicle is, and doesn't go away until that area is pulled (some people only have to pull a few hairs, others pull handfuls). Trichotillomania doesn't have many symptoms, so the one major symptom is has is clearly the one everyone who suffers from it wishes they didn't have.

8/11/17 by Sari 2050

Inability of hair folicle to re-grow new hair after years of pulling damage. Plenty of psychological stress and anxiety related to feeling "bald" or "ugly."

8/11/17 by Theresa 970

Worst symptoms are constantly pulling any hair on your body and not feeling satisfied. I pull, I regret it, I get upset and stressed because I pulled so I pull more.

8/12/17 by Catswithtatts 1650

Feeling like something else has taken over your mind and body and you have no choice in the matter. I will get up from a movie I am enjoying to go pull. I will get out of bed, even when tired, to go pull. It's like you are possessed during these moments. You are not able to control it, and if you try to fight it, you struggle in ways you cannot imagine are humanly possible. So you give in, then you feel like a failure. It's the opposite feeling of pulling. Pulling makes you feel good, even when you feel bad. Not pulling when you want to pull, makes you feel awful. You cannot even enjoy the win because you know you didn't actually win. You still lost.

9/10/17 by Cynthia 1502

The bald spots, And having to cover them up

10/2/17 by HNG 100

The anxiety and depression. I hate leaving my house because I can’t cover up my baldness without a hat, and I have to wear fake eyelashes.

10/18/17 by Tiffany 400

Bald spots, sore spots and urges. Trichotillomania(TTM)Awareness and other Facebook groups were created to help encourage others suffering the same.

10/19/17 by Felicia@Face2FaceSpa 2000

I really wish our hair grew back quicker, as the bald spots are very limiting, and wearing a wig is uncomfortable. It keeps me from enjoy simple things like sports, swimming and even having someone play with my hair. I'd rather twirl my hair 24/7 than pull my hair even half that.

10/20/17 by bennersk 2190

Twirling or playing with hair to point of bordering on obsessive where the hair begins to recede or thin out, and pulling out body hair leaving bald patches. Triggers may be boredom, anxiety, or even things like texture of the hair, or feeling the folicle at the end of a loose hair can all trigger pulling.

12/17/17 by Hannah 1000

excessive hair pulling, bald spots, depression, anxiety, shame, embarrassment

12/19/17 by Addison 400

Repeatedly pulling your hair out, typically from your scalp, eyebrows or eyelashes, but sometimes from other body areas, and sites may vary over time An increasing sense of tension before pulling, or when you try to resist pulling A sense of pleasure or relief after the hair is pulled Noticeable hair loss, such as shortened hair or thinned or bald areas on the scalp or other areas of your body, including sparse or missing eyelashes or eyebrows Preference for specific types of hair, rituals that accompany hair pulling or patterns of hair pulling Biting, chewing or eating pulled-out hair Playing with pulled-out hair or rubbing it across your lips or face Repeatedly trying to stop pulling out your hair or trying to do it less often without success Significant distress or problems at work, school or in social situations related to pulling out your hair

1/27/18 by Vee 2770

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