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Trichotillomania Essay

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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.

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