Trichotillomania is a form of obsessive compulsive disorder that is identified as hair loss due to obsessive hair pulling. According to Pub Med Health, there is no clear cause for trichotillomania, and it may be found in as much as 4 percent of the population. Behavioral therapy along with selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor medications appear to be the most effective treatment against trichotillomania; however, certain vitamins may help improve symptoms associated with various types of obsessive compulsive disorders, including trichotillomania.
B-Vitamins
B-vitamins are a group of eight similar vitamins that all have a similar structure, but very different effects on your body (See Reference 2). The most important B-vitamins for managing obsessive compulsive disorder like symptoms, such as trichotillomania, are vitamins B-3 and B-6 (See Reference 2). These two vitamins are important in stimulating the production of the neurotransmitter, serotonin, in your brain, which aids in the management of obsessive compulsive disorder. Serotonin is responsible for reducing anxiety and obsessive thoughts, and can help reduce stress and maintain your sleep cycle (See Reference 2).
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that works as a strong antioxidant in your body, and has been found to have a sedative effect which decreases anxiety (See Reference 2). Vitamin C affects many different body tissues, including your adrenal glands, which play a role in your stress response. Your adrenal glands release compounds called corticoids, which trigger your fight-or-flight response. Free radicals in your body may adversely affect the rate of corticoid production, causing feelings of anxiety and anxiousness. Vitamin C neutralizes the effect of free radicals, reducing anxiety by balancing corticoid release (See Reference 2).
Vitamin D
Individuals suffering from many different forms of obsessive compulsive disorder also have a vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that can be synthesized by your body from exposure to the sun, or by eating vitamin D fortified foods such as many cereals and dairy products (See Reference 2). Vitamin D aides in the production of dopamine in your brain, a powerful neurotransmitter that directly effects your emotional state (See Reference 2). Low levels of dopamine have been associated with trichotillomania. By supplementing with vitamin D, you may reduce some of the symptoms associated with trichotillomania.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that is important in the regulation of nerve transmissions throughout your brain (See Reference 2). A disruption in the transmission of nerve signals can cause your body to stop producing important brain hormones leading to a chemical imbalance in your brain. Chemical imbalances increase the symptoms associated with obsessive compulsive disorder and psychosis. Vitamin D may help relieve some of the symptoms associated with obsessive compulsive disorder, including trichotillomania, by maintaining proper neurological function in your brain (See Reference 1).
References
- PubMed Health; Trichotillomania; 2010
- "The New Encyclopedia of Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements and Herbs"; Nicola Reavley; 1999
