The mental illness in which people pull their own hair out, called trichotillomania, is classified as a body-focused repetitive behavior, according to the Trichotillomania Learning Center. People with "trich"--as it is called for short--either pull or twist their own hair until it falls off or breaks. The exact cause of the condition is not known, but as many as 4 percent of Americans may suffer from the condition, according to the National Institutes of Health. Females are four times as likely as males to suffer from the illness.
Symptoms
Actual hair-pulling may not always be seen in people who have trichotillomania. You may, however, notice a thinning of hair across the scalp or circular-shaped bald patches. It may also seem as though the person is constantly twisting or tugging at his hair. Some people with the condition even eat their own hair, which can cause an intestinal blockage, according to the National Institutes of Health. People with trichotillomania may deny they pull their hair out despite obvious evidence to the contrary, but they often feel relieved or gratified after they pull the hair out.
Cause
Although the exact cause of trichotillomania is unknown, it is thought to be caused by environmental and genetic factors, according to MayoClinic.com. A mutation of gene called SLITRK1 has been linked to both trichotillomania and the neurological condition Tourette's syndrome. Additionally, some research suggests that the levels of the brain chemicals dopamine and serotonin may play a role in trichotillomania.
Risk Factors
Trichotillomania most commonly develops in children, most often during adolescence. The average age of onset is 11, but the condition can develop at any age, according to the Trichotillomania Learning Center. Trich tends to run in families, and it can be precipitated by a stressful event such as changing schools or a death in the family. Some people with the condition say they pull their hair out because they are bothered by the hair's color or texture.
Treatment
Because tricholtillomania is still a relatively new condition--first formally recognized in the 1980s--no standard treatment exists. Prescription drugs such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have improved symptoms of trich, but they most often are prescribed for adults and not children. Also, doctors are not in agreement about their use. Another effective treatment is cognitive behavioral therapy, which involves giving trich sufferers another outlet for their urge to pull their hair out. Some people with trichotillomania also get help from support groups featuring other people with the disease.
Prognosis
Trichotillomania does not have a cure, but children and adolescents with the condition often outgrow or move past the hair pulling within a year of starting, according to the National Institutes of Health. Children whose symptoms begin before the age of 6 are more likely to outgrow the condition. Relapses are common in people who have been successfully been treated. When this happens, the person must begin an entire course of treatment again.
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