Trichotillomania (Hair-Pulling Disorder)

 

Similar to pyromania, kleptomania, and pathological gambling, trichotillomania is an impulse control disease characterized by body-focused repetitive behavior and hair pulling. Any area of the body where hair may grow can experience hair tugging, although the scalp, brows, and eyelids are the most frequent locations. You are not alone if you struggle with hair-pulling. And some treatments can be beneficial. It necessitates practice, patience, and time. However, people can overcome trichotillomania if they acquire the necessary abilities.

 

Introduction:

 

A person with trichotillomania (also referred to as TTM) obsessively pulls out or breaks their own hair. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is the term used to describe this condition. Though it falls under the umbrella of obsessive-compulsive disorder, trichotillomania differs significantly from OCD in some crucial ways.

• Obsessions. Obsessions are unwanted and difficult-to-control thoughts or desires that are associated with OCD. There are no obsessions in trichotillomania.
• The feeling of satisfaction. People with TTM frequently experience relief or other happy feelings when they pull their hair out. Positive emotions are not a part of OCD in that manner.

Though it falls under the umbrella of obsessive-compulsive disorder, TTM differs significantly from OCD in some essential ways. People with TTM pull their hair out obsessively, typically one strand at a time. The same area will see a lot of hair-pulling. The scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows, and pubic hair are the most frequently pulled hair sources. The age at which trichotillomania develops also affects how it manifests. This type of hair-pulling is widespread among kids; however, it’s frequently a self-soothing behavior. Kids commonly outgrow this behavior, which has no long-term consequences. Adolescents and adults with this illness tend to have significantly more severe issues.

 

Causes and Symptoms:

 

Though it falls under the umbrella of obsessive-compulsive disorder, trichotillomania differs significantly from OCD in some essential ways.

Trichotillomania has no known cause, although it is currently considered a medical condition.  According to one biological idea, one chemical messenger system that connects the nerve cells in some areas of the brain is disrupted. As with many other illnesses, there may be a combination of causes, such as hereditary susceptibility and an aggravating stress or condition. 

• Your method of handling anxiety or stress
• A mental imbalance resembling obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) caused by a chemical imbalance
• Hormone changes that occur throughout puberty

 

Typical trichotillomania warning signs and symptoms include:

• Pulling your hair out repeatedly, usually from your scalp, brows, or eyelashes, but occasionally from other body parts, and the sites can change over time.
• Tension that builds up before pulling or when you attempt to avoid pulling
• After removing the hair, a feeling of pleasure or relief
• Visible signs of hair loss, such as short hair or thinned or bald patches on your scalp or other parts of your body, such as sparse or absent eyelashes or eyebrows
• Preference for particular hair kinds, rituals that go along with hair pulling, or hair pulling habits
• Biting, gnawing, or consuming snatched hair
• Pulling out your hair and playing with it or running it across your lips or face
• Repeatedly attempting to stop ripping your hair out or trying to do it less frequently but failing
• Significant anxiety or issues with work, school, or social interactions as a result of hair-pulling

 

Homeopathic Treatment for Trichotillomania:

 

There are several potent homeopathic treatments for trichotillomania; however, the choice depends on the patient’s unique characteristics.

• Argentum nitricum is among the best therapies for trichotillomania brought on by nerve impulses. The patient has intense fear, terror, and recurring irrational thoughts. He thinks he won’t be able to get past a particular stage—strange mental inclinations. Leap out of a window or across a bridge on impulse. Impulsive and impatient with tasks. Concerns, fears, and unspoken irrational motivations.
• One of the most outstanding treatments for trichotillomania with acuteness of all senses is belladonna. When you pull out your hair, it spits out and is dry. The person is hysterical, ecstatic, violent, noisy, yells out, talks quickly, and is extremely restless. Fear of hypothetical threats. Quarrelsome, erratic moods, hallucinations, encountering horrific faces and demons
• Calcarea carb is best for fair, chubby kids with big, firm bellies. They are easily alarmed or hurt. The youngster is terrified of everything. They are sensitive to the cold. Easy to catch a cold. Excessive sweating, especially on the chest and head, when you sleep. When teething, children walk slowly. One of the most common symptoms of Calcarea carb is a need for inedible items like dirt, chalk, coal, and pencils. They also favor eggs.
• Cuprum metallicum is for people who are jittery, anxious, have rigid ideas, are nasty, and are depressed. Fears society and avoids everyone. Confused and wary of everyone who comes close to him. Talkative, then discouraged and afraid of dying. Gloomy, cunning, oscillating between headstrong and submissive.
• The best treatment for trichotillomania with apparent destructive urges is tarantula. Dislike of the colors red, yellow, black, and green. Sudden changes in vigor, fancies, or moods. The patient exhibits instability, lack of control, and impulsivity. She is destructive, tearing her clothes and whatever else she can handle. These people are crafty and foxy.
• Medorhinum 200 is recommended for trichotillomania-related nervousness and restlessness. They are frantic and hasty. They believe time is moving too slowly. Life seems surreal, and everything is surreal. Fear of the dark and someone following her. Depression and suicidal ideation. Concentration problems.
• The most fantastic remedy for trichotillomania with an intense migraine headache is natrum muriaticum. Excessive hair shed. People with Natrum Mur are melancholy and reserved. They become agitated and find it difficult to cry in public. Slow speech is something kids pick up. Talks awkwardly, moves quickly, and drops things. They favor salt and diets high in salt.
• It is recommended to take Lilium trigrinum if you have trichotillomania or cardiac or uterine issues. The symptoms of the uterus and the mind alternate. Profoundly depressed mood. Permanent tendency to cry. Anxious and concerned about an organic, fatal illness. Wild, irrational feeling. Unhappy and jealous of others.