Trichotillomania maybe a mental health condition where someone feels a strong urge to pull out their own hair, often from the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, or other areas.
It maybe classified as a body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRB) and is related to conditions like OCD, but might not be exactly the same.
What it looks like
- Repeated hair pulling, sometimes without realizing it
- A sense of tension or urge before pulling
- Relief, satisfaction, or even pleasure after pulling
- Noticeable hair loss (patchy or thinning areas)
- Sometimes playing with, biting, or eating the hair afterward
Why it happens
There may not be one single cause, but it’s often linked to:
- Stress or anxiety
- Boredom or habit (automatic pulling)
- Emotional regulation (coping with difficult feelings)
- Brain chemistry and genetics
Types of pulling
- Focused pulling: done intentionally to relieve urges or emotions
- Automatic pulling: happens without awareness (e.g., while watching TV or studying)
Treatment & support
It is treatable, and people can improve a lot with the right help:
- Habit Reversal Training (HRT): a type of therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Identifying triggers and building competing behaviors (like squeezing a stress ball)
- In some cases, medication, CONSULT A PSYCHIATRIST
When to get help
If it’s causing you distress, noticeable hair loss, or interfering with daily life, talking to a therapist, especially one familiar with BFRBs, can make a big difference.
Shervan K Shahhian
LIBERTY PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION 