Kids can develop various nervous habits, from nail biting to nose rubbing. These habits are often harmless and temporary, but sometimes the child does not outgrow them. They persist and cause visible physical effects. Hair pulling is one such habit that can become a compulsion in some children. It may eventually require treatment by a trained professional.
Definition
Hair pulling, also called trichotillomania, refers to the habitual pulling or twisting of the hair. Kids with this compulsion may focus on their head, but many also pull out hairs on the arms, eyebrows or other areas, the Trichotillomania Learning Center explains. It is labeled as an impulse control disorder, but it has many of the characteristics of an obsessive-compulsive disorder. The Center states it may also be considered a "body-focused repetitive behavior," along the same lines as compulsive hair biting or skin picking.
Features
Some kids can control their hair pulling with a focused mental effort, according to the Trichotillomania Learning Center. It is an irresistible compulsion for others. The urge may get so strong that it consumes the child's thoughts and interferes with schoolwork or family and social life. Some children even pull hair from the body of another person or an animal. Many will play with the hair or chew it.
Time Frame
Hair pulling usually starts in childhood or adolescence. It has been observed as early as infancy or preschool age, but some very young hair pullers stop on their own as they get older. Hair pulling is equally common among young girls and boys, but most adult hair pullers are female. Overall, 3.5 percent of females and 1.5 percent of males will engage in compulsive hair pulling at some point in their lifetime.
Cause
The exact cause of hair pulling is unknown, although it appears to be a self-soothing behavior. There may be both emotional and biological factors at play. The Mayo Clinic cites genetics and brain chemical imbalances as two possible culprits. Episodes in children are often triggered by stressful emotions like fear or anger, the Trichotillomania Learning Center explains. It can happen at any time, but kids usually engage in hair pulling at sedentary times like when they are watching television or studying. Many also pull their hair while waiting to fall asleep in bed.
Effects
Hair pulling can affect a child's appearance because severe cases often result in noticeable bald patches on the head or the absence of eyebrows. This can result in teasing and rejection by peers, harming the child's self-esteem. Kids who eat their hair can develop a digestive problem, although the Trichotillomania Learning Center states this is rare and happens only in very extreme cases. The Mayo Clinic warns that long-term hair pulling can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome.
Treatment
Hair pulling may not require any treatment. The National Institutes of Health states that many kids stop doing it within about a year. It is especially likely to disappear without treatment in those who start doing it before age 6. Individual and family therapy is the most common treatment. Therapists use behavioral techniques to help the child break the habit, and the parents and other family members learn how to offer proper support. Medication may be prescribed if the child appears to have another problem like depression or anxiety, or if other forms of therapy are not successful.
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