Pulling

The compulsive pulling out of one's own hair—formally, chronic traction alopecia—to the point that it is noticeable and causing significant distress or impairment. It affects up to 2.5 million in the US, begins in childhood, and is more common in girls—female:male ratio is 8:1 in pre-adolescents and 3:1 in adults—peaking at age 12–13; it is a disorder of impulse control, linked to tics, and habit disorders—e.g., thumb-sucking—and attributed to unresolved psychodynamic conflicts, low self-esteem, stress, anxiety, depression
DiffDx Alopecia areata, tinea capitis, traction alopecia, loose anagen syndrome
Complications Patchy alopecia, suppurative dermatitis, permanent loss of hair, repetitive stress injury, carpal tunnel syndrome, gastrointestinal obstruction due to trichophagia, which begets trichobezoars
Management Hypnosis, behaviour modification, psychotherapy, IMAOs, amitriptyline, etc. have been tried with varying degrees of success; tricyclic antidepressants—e.g., clomipramine—may be effective short-term

Segen's Medical Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.

Patient discussion about Pulling

Q. Pulling pain in anus. Dear friends, I am 32. I feel a Pulling pain in anus sometimes while i finish passing stool and some times when i sit for long time. No bleeding so far. Is it a symptoms of piles? If so what can be done to cure it without going to doctor or operation. Please help me. This pain makes me to feel that i am very old.

A. horsechestnut is supposed to help...here is some info about it:
http://nccam.nih.gov/health/horsechestnut/index.htm#uses

but i wouldn't get my hopes high.

Q. What would you do if a friend showed up to your house and pulled out a quarter pound of cocaine? True story: What would you do if a friend showed up to your house and pulled out a quarter pound of cocaine, and a bunch of other narcotics all bagged up individually, and then asked if you wanted the first go at them?

A. First of all, I'd probably go ‘Hey, what do you think you are DOING with all that! And why the hell are you at my house with this load of rubbish?? But then I'd probably calm down a bit, and we'd go round to the police station, just round the corner from my place and hand it in. I have a lot more conscience now than I used to and there is no way I am going to encourage a situation like this!

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