Research Indicates Trichotillomania Effects Are Irreversible

Saturday 26 September 7355 Shares

Researchers for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who partnered with Stanford University, have determined that the effects of Trichotillomania may be irreversible. Trichotillomania is a disorder that involves recurrent, irresistible urges to pull out body hair. Often, effects of Trichotillomania can be confused by uneducated onlookers as male pattern baldness.



In a well-defined and monumental study using 1,000 consenting male rats, researchers consistently pulled the hair from the body of the rats for a period of 6 months. It was observed that after the hair from the same follicle was pulled a third time, the tissue surrounding the area would scar over the wound, disallowing the tissue to be exposed to repeated trauma. Researchers theorized that if a single sebaceous gland was traumatized multiple times, the gland would self-protect by making itself inaccessible.



The cause of trichotillomania is unclear. But like many complex disorders, trichotillomania results from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Often, trichotillomania is hereditary and passed by the XY (male) chromosome. Males typically have two different kinds of sex chromosomes (XY), and are called the heterogametic sex which leads researchers to believe genetics play a significant role in the development of trichotillomania, and the disorder may occur in those (specifically males) who have a close relative with the disorder.



While estimates vary, about 1 in 50 or 2 of the general population has trichotillomania. This makes the disorder more common than Schizophrenia and Bipolar Depression. Unlike anxiety disorders (e.g. panic disorder, social anxiety, PTSD) where the main symptoms are stress and fear, trichotillomania has a far more complex and heterogeneous set of symptoms.



When trichotillomania first develops (often around puberty), most individuals don’t even realize they are pulling their hair. It happens automatically and without any conscious effort. Unlike anxiety disorders where fear becomes associated with specific situations, researchers believe that it is a complex integration of biology (genetics, hormones, neuroanatomy), psychology (emotional regulation), and environment that drives an individual to pull their hair. While some do pull their hair to lower anxiety, many also pull out of boredom, sadness, anger, frustration, loneliness, or excitement. There is also a different type of hair pulling called focused pulling. During focused pulling, individuals are consciously taking time out of their day to sit and pull their hair until a certain goal is reached (e.g. pulling out all grey hairs or creating symmetry in the hairline). This type of pulling is often relaxing and makes the person feel good when they have accomplished their goal.



Research on treatment of trichotillomania is limited. However, some treatment options have helped many people reduce their hair pulling or stop entirely. The most prevalent treatment options include cognitive behavior therapy and medications.



/!\ Report Abuse

Create a Prank