Trichotillomania Research Paper

TTM is a psychological disorder identified as an impulse control disorder. Contrary to popular belief, TTM is not a form of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). The two disorders can coexist due to their shared irresistible urges, though they are diagnosed separately and treated separately. TTM also bears a close resemblance to Compulsive Skin Picking, though this is also considered a separate disorder with different diagnosis and treatment options.

Body focused repetitive behaviors (BFRB’s) are repetitive actions caused by stress, such as hair pulling, nail biting, and cheek biting. These are typically done without the person knowing, during activities such as reading or watching television. These activities ultimately cause poor self-image, avoidance of social activities and intimate relationships, bleeding, infections, and bezoars. Complications with bezoars can lead to intestinal bleeding and other lower bowel issues.

The anxiety (nervousness) of this disorder causes the individual to feel the urgent need to perform certain routines or rituals (compulsion) (Chakraburtty, 2009). For example, a person who has an unreasonable germ fear constantly washes their hands (Chakraburtty, 2009). The rituals are performed in an attempt to prevent or make the obsessive thoughts go away (Chakraburtty, 2009). The rituals that are performed are temporarily the person will perform the rituals again once his or her obsessive thoughts return (Chakraburtty, 2009).

Obsessive-compulsive disorder, also known as just simply OCD, affects from 1% to more than 5% of the total population. This paper gives an overview of current diagnosis criteria, statistical data, causes of the disorder as well as current treatment options. While in the past, most clinicians use drug therapy to treat OCD patients, today treatment options are focusing on a combination of psychological therapy combined with drug therapy in an effort to address underlying problems causing the manifestation of OCD while still treating the symptoms of the disorder.

There are three main theories for this disorder. The first one is based on biology its been shown that patients with Obsessive Compulsive disorder have abnormal frontal cortex and some areas below the cortex. Some believe these abnormalities could cause the behaviors. Another theories believes that there is a gene that causes OCD. It is thought because people with relative that have OCD are much more likely to inherit the disease. The final theory is a person environment can cause Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, especially since the majority of the time it starts in childhood. It is believed that people who had an abusive, traumatic or stressful childhood could present the symptoms of

Trichotillomania is a phychyatric condition in which an individual has an uncontrollable desire to pull out his/her own body hair. Trichotillomania is NOT an Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), but is medically classified as an Impulse Control Disorder. The majority of Trichotillomania sufferers are girls and women, though men and boys suffer with Trichotillomania, as well. The average age of start is twelve years of age in girls and eight years of age in boys. Rarely, has it been reported in children as young as one year old and has been seen first in adults over fifty years

Although there is no cure for Tourette’s, there are treatments to help manage the tics. Some people with Tourette’s have tic’s that do not get in the way of their daily routines and do not need any treatment. Regardless, there are medications and behavioral treatments that are available if there is any stress, pain or injury caused by the tics. There is a new behavioral treatment called Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention (CBIT). CBIT is an evidence-based type of behavioral therapy for Tourette’s and tic disorders. CBIT is effective at reducing symptoms and tic-related impairments. Treatment includes habit reversal in addition to other strategies that includes education about tics and relaxation techniques. During this therapy, a therapist

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is defined by the DSM-V as having the presence of obsessions, compulsions, or both. Unwanted urges, images, and thoughts that cause anxiety are considered obsessions (2013, p. 235). In response to these obsessions, people with OCD carry out repetitive behaviors or mental acts called compulsions. A person with this disorder tries to block out these unpleasurable urges with behaviors such as counting, washing their hands, and repeating words (2013, p. 237). There is no cure for OCD, however there are treatments. Behavioral therapy and SSRIs can be used as treatments, but

Treatment: psychotherapy, family therapy, creative therapy, clinical hypnosis, no medication specifically for this disorder but treat pre-existing disorder(s)

Trichotillomania, also known as trichotillosis or hair pulling disorder, is defined as an impulse control disorder characterized by the compulsive urge for people to pull out their own hair (Weiss, 2015). Trichotillomania occurs in two forms, conscious and unconscious hair pulling. According to information gathered from the most recent and accurate study for statistics of Trichotillomania, which was performed by group of TrichStop staff in 2013, two and a half million people who live in the United States of America have been affected by trichotillomania at some point in their life (TrichStop, 2013). The hair pulling disorder has many causes as well as several effects that occur to a person during and after the hair pulling disorder is active.

At a young age I was diagnosed with Trichotillomania, a disorder that involves recurrent irresistible urges to pull out hair from either your scalp, eyebrows, or other areas of your body. I have had this disorder since I was born and it has been a recurring problem throughout my life. This disorder can be caused by stress, anxiety, or uncontrollable impulsive behaviors. Trichotillomania can cause bald spots or significant hair loss which leads to interference with social and work functioning. For a long time I struggled in social settings because it was noticeable in conversation. Oftentimes in high anxiety situations, I would find a wad of hair on the ground from excessive hair pulling. I frequently struggled with

When society hears the words mental disorder, the first thing that pops into their minds is Schizophrenia and Bipolar. One disorder that you may not have heard about is Trichotillomania. Trichotillomania, defined by Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary is “ A morbid impulse to pull out one’s own hair; trichologia”, (Saunders, W.B, pg 1395). People with this disorder have a tendency to pull out their own hair. It’s a long-term disorder. Young kids can get this disorder, both boys and girls. Adults can also get this disorder at any age, but it is mostly found in women instead of men.

     Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has become an increasingly familiar disorder within the world of health and medicine. The recurring obsessions and compulsions associated with the disorder seem quite easy to identify, yet the acknowledgement of OCD in children had

There are a few different options for treatment depending on the severity of the condition. For some cognitive behavioral therapy is an option. With this type of approach, the goal is for patients to keep track of their recurring tics and voluntarily respond to these tics with behaviors that are incompatible. However for more severe cases, in which the patient is injuring themselves with their tics, such as scratching, they may be put on SSRI’s or other antipsychotic agents. The pharmacological approach may be used also if the tics interfere with daily living. Some of these medication have rather high rates of success. “Haloperidol and pimozide, the 2 most studied neuroleptics, have been approved for the treatment of tics in TS by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Well-controlled clinical trials indicate that haloperidol has a response rate approaching 80% for tic suppression.”, as found on medscape.com.

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a disorder that causes someone to have unwanted and troubling thoughts and repetitive behaviors (Lack, 2012). People may self-diagnose themselves to be obsessive compulsive. But people with obsessive compulsive disorder need to spend at least 1 hour daily on obsessive thoughts and rituals (Ellyson, 2014). This disorder is broken into two parts. The first part is obsessions, thoughts or images, and the second part is compulsions, the repetitive behaviors caused by the obsessions (Brakoulias, 2015). An example of obsessive compulsive disorder would be someone checking the locked door multiple times to reduce anxiety about forgetting to lock the door. On average 5% of the population has subclinical symptoms which are considered to be symptoms that are not disruptive enough to meet criteria to be diagnosed obsessive compulsive (Lack, 2012). Dropping what you’re doing to go back and check if your curling iron is unplugged is an example of a subclinical symptom. This paper will discuss what obsessive compulsive disorder is and provide a brief history. It will also include current treatments, suggestions on how to treat the disorder, and a summary.