Diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and asthma are common diseases that typically strike people of certain ages. There are just as many rare diseases, however, that aren't as well known. For example, some diseases cause a compulsion to steal, while another condition leads to hair-pulling. Another disease can cause a person to eat dirt or detergent. Unusual diseases can develop in anyone at any time.
Trichotillomania
Hair is considered to be a person's crowning glory. Trichotillomania sufferers, however, seem not to share that reverence. The Mayo Clinic says that symptoms of trichotillomania include pulling hair out of the eyebrows or scalp. This can leave an unsightly bald patch in those regions. Other symptoms including playing with the hair that was pulled and placing the pulled-out hair across the face and lips.
Trichotillomania sufferers pull their hair using their fingers, brushes, tweezers and combs. Interestingly, people may be aware of their actions, while others do this subconsciously.
A mutation in a certain gene called SLITRK1 and problems with certain brain chemicals (serotonin and dopamine) can lead to trichotillomania.
Treatment for trichotillomania involves cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a type of talk therapy used to investigate the root of a person's symptoms. The Mayo Clinic says that antidepressant medications in combination with CBT can also be used to treat trichotillomania.
Kleptomania
Kleptomania refers to an unusual disease in which people have the urge to steal. Oftentimes, the items are not very expensive. The Mayo Clinic says that specific symptoms of kleptomania include feeling tension prior to stealing and having a sense of gratification while stealing. After stealing, shame and guilt feelings may develop. Kleptomania sufferers typically steal at spontaneous moments.
This disease can be triggered by stress. Kleptomania's cause is still unknown but a brain chemical called serotonin may play a role as it is responsible for controlling moods and emotions.
Antidepressant medications such as fluvoxamine, mood stabilizers such as lithium, benzodiazepines such as clonazepam, anti-seizure medications such as topiramate and addiction medications such as naltrexone may all be used to manage kleptomania. Three types of psychotherapy techniques (talk therapy) are used to treat kleptomania: covert sensitization, aversion therapy and systemic desensitization. The Mayo Clinic says that covert sensitization involves imagining the act of stealing and its resulting consequences. Aversion therapy involves doing something painful such as holding the breathe when an urge to steal develops. Systemic desensitization involves visualizing the control needed to manage stealing urges.
Pica
Pica refers to an unusual disease in which people feel the urge to eat non-food items, says MedlinePlus. Specifically, pica can drive people to eat such things as paint, sand, animal feces, hairballs, ice and clay. Typically, this strange eating habit lasts for at least 1 month.
MedlinePlus says that 10 to 32 percent of children ages 1 to 6 can display pica symptoms. Pica can also occur during pregnancy and in people who suffer from iron or zinc deficiency.
Treatment for pica involves aversion therapy in which the affected person is told of the medical consequences of eating such non-food items.
