Hair Pulling - Editor's Choice

What Is Trichotillomania?

A somewhat difficult to understand disorder, Trichotillomania is characterized by an individual's irresistible urge to pull out the hair from his or her body including the scalp, eyebrows and other parts of the body. Known medically as trichotillomania, hair pulling often results in large patchy or bald spots. Even though the disorder is obsessive, affected individuals generally attempt to cover the habit and disguise areas from which they have pulled.

The signs and symptoms of trichotillomania are fairly straightforward. The characteristic symptom of the disorder involves the repeated pulling out of the hair from any part of the body paired with the urge to do so and a resulting relief after having pulled. Signs of the disorder include patchy bald areas on the scalp or other parts of the body and sparse or missing eyebrows or eyelashes. Additionally, individuals may exhibit other paired behaviors such as chewing or eating the hair that has been pulled out, playing with the pulled hair or rubbing the pulled hair across the lips or face. Individuals generally tend to pull in private and attempt to hide the results of their pulling.

While the cause of hair pulling disorder has not been identified, it is generally believed that trichotillomania arises as a result of several factors. Genetic and environmental issues are typically considered responsible for causing trichotillomania; however, irregularities in the typical chemicals in the brain, including serotonin and dopamine, may contribute to hair pulling disorder.

Natural Trichotillomania Treatment

While hair pulling is often considered an impulse control disorder, the underlying factors complicate the matter. Nonetheless, many natural treatment options are available that can facilitate treatment of the disorder and offer relief from its symptoms. Apple cider vinegar is a natural detoxifying agent that eradicates any underlying health issues that may be contributing to the disorder. Candor and n-acetyl cysteine are also helpful for treating hair pulling. Additionally, changing one's diet to avoid sugar and processed goods helps treat any comorbid health concerns.