trichotillomania

trichotillomania /tricho·til·lo·ma·nia/ (-til″o-ma´ne-ah) compulsive pulling out of one's hair.

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trich·o·til·lo·ma·ni·a (trk-tl-mn-, -mny)

n.

A compulsion to pull out one's own hair.

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Trichotillomania

An impulse or compulsion to pull out one's own hair.

Mentioned in: Impulse Control Disorders

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trichotillomania

[trik′ōtil′ōmā′nē·ə]

Etymology: Gk, thrix + tillein, to pull, mania, madness

an impulse disorder characterized by a desire to pull out one's hair, frequently seen in cases of severe mental retardation and delirium. Also called hair pulling, trichomania. See also trichologia. trichomanic, trichotillomanic, adj.

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Trichotillomania

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

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trichotillomania [trik″o-til´o-ma´ne-ah]

an impulse control disorder consisting of an irresistible compulsion to pull out one's hair, the act being preceded by tension or an irresistible urge and followed by pleasure or relief. The diagnosis excludes such activities when caused by physical factors or by delusions or hallucinations. Specific patterns or rituals of hair pulling are often present.

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trichotillomania

a psychogenic dermatosis in which the animal pulls out its own hair; seen in cats.

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trichotillomania

Hair-pulling, trichomania Psychiatry A chronic traction alopecia of childhood onset affecting adolescent and adult ♀, affecting ± 8 million–US; it is a disorder of impulse control, linked to tics, and habit disorders–eg, thumb-sucking, attributed to psychodynamic conflicts Management Hypnosis, behavior mod, psychotherapy, IMAOs, amitriptyline, etc have been tried with varying degrees of failure; TCAs–eg, clomipramine, may be effective short-term. See Obsessive compulsive disorder.