Trichotillomania (also known as hair-pulling disorder) is hair can cause loss caused by an irresistible urge to pull out your hair, either from your scalp or any other part of your body.
It can cause hair can small or large thin and bald patches, and it is often extremely distressing for those who suffer from it. According to NHS Trich is more common in teenagers and young adults.
At first, the hair that is pulling out grows back. However, over many years your follicles can be damaged, resulting in permanent hair loss. Trichotillomania is most common in teenagers and young adults and is observed more often in women than in men.

Trichotillomania can be mild and manageable, or severe and ongoing in either case, it is often an emotionally upsetting condition. If you suspect that you or your child is suffering from it, it is best to consult a doctor and /or trichologist for help.
If you are worried about any form of hair loss, our brand Afrovirtues Natural Products Limited specializes in all aspects of hair and scalp health and will be happy to welcome and assist you.

WHAT FACTORS CONTRIBUTE to TRICHOTILLOMANIA?

The causes of trichotillomania are psychological and are often complex.some contributing factors include:

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Stress

• Traumatic experience

For those who suffer from the condition, the act of pulling out a hair can feel very satisfying and can provide a temporary release of tension. Hair pulling can be very hard to stop, and many people who have trichotillomania go to some lengths to hide the condition.
At Afrovirtues, over 3 years we have seen many cases of trichotillomania in people of all ages and genders. We know how embarrassing and distressing it can feel and we are here to help provide advice and treatment.

HOW DO YOU DIAGNOSE TRICHOTILLOMANIA?

Trichotillomania is frequently misdiagnosed as alopecia areata- another type of hairloss that occurs in patches. There are two reasons for this;
First, both conditions look similar to the untrained eye.
Second, people are often ashamed & fearful to tell their doctor that they are pulling out their own hair.

This is particularly an issue in diagnosing children and young teenagers with trichotillomania, who might be pulling out their hair in secret without their parent’s knowledge.
However, there is a recognizable diagnostic feature of trichotillomania- uneven hair breakage.
In alopecia areata, hairs in or around a bald patch will be roughly the same lengths but in trichotillomania, hairs that are pulled out snap off at different lengths. Also, the pattern of hair loss from trichotillomania is usually more pronounced on the right side of the scalp if you are right-handed and vice versa.

HOW DO YOU TREAT THRICHOTILLOMANIA?

The first and most important step in recovery from trichotillomania is getting help for the person suffering from it (this could be yourself, a friend, or a family member)

Psychological therapy may be recommended please remember there is nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed about at Psychological Afrovirtues, we have seen many individuals with trichotillomania ranging from young children to highly successful women and men. Just like recovery from any other Conditional disorder, external support is essential.

wearing thick gloves, especially at night, when the temptation to pull out your hair may be at its peak.

Cutting your hair short so that it is impossible to get hold of.

Covering your hair with a slippery cream or oil.

wearing a scarf over your head.

playing with worry beads or other stress management tools to take your mind off the impulses.

All treatments for trichotillomania take time and patience, but the good news is that your hair can grow back, if it has been going on for a long time, less may do so, or your hair may grow back a different texture. But you will see an improvement.