I compulsively pull out my hair?
I don't find it painful at all and i cant stop doing it, what does this mean?
answer:
This is usually indicative of a condition that is related to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) It is called Trichotillomania. My brother has it and takes medication for it and he doesn't do it anymore. It got so bad for him that he had bald spots all over his head. I do it to a certain extent but it's only when bored or nervous. Its not bad at all for me but if it ever go to the point where I was constantly doing it I would go to my doctor. Here's a couple of sites you can look at to see if this sounds like you. If so you'll probably want to see you doctor. Good luck :)
https://health.google.com/health/ref/Tri?/a>
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/91?/a>
https://health.google.com/health/ref/Tri?/a>
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/91?/a>
What Is Trichotillomania?
Trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder.or Compulsive Hair Pulling) is a type of psychological condition that involves strong urges to pull out one's own hair.
Trichotillomania has obsessive-compulsive features that are quite similar to Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), as well as Body Dysmorphic Disorder(BDD), and Dermatillomania, also known as Compulsive Skin Picking (CSP). In fact, it is not unusual for an individual with Trichotillomania to also have features of OCD, BDD, and/or CSP.
What Happens With Trichotillomania?
The defining characteristic of Trichotillomania is the recurrent, compulsive pulling out of one's own hair, often resulting in observable hair loss. Usually, but not always, the scalp and/or face are the primary locations for hair pulling. While the most common hair pulling sites are the scalp, eyebrows, and eyelashes, Trichotillomania may involve any part of the body with hair. Less common locations for hair pulling include the pubic area, perirectal region, arms, chest, and legs. An individual with Trichotillomania may use his or her fingernails, as well as tweezers, pins or other mechanical devices. In severe cases, Trichotillomania can result in permanent hair loss or skin damage.
Often, but not always, Trichotillomania episodes are preceded by a high level of tension and a strong "urge". Likewise, hair pulling is usually, but not always, followed by a sensation of relief or pleasure. Hair pulling is usually done alone, often while watching TV, reading, talking on the phone, driving or while grooming in the bathroom.
A Trichotillomania episode may be triggered by a negative mood state or occur in response to stress, but may also occur while an individual is calm and relaxed. Sometimes hair pulling is done as a conscious behavior, but it is frequently done as an unconscious habit. Recent reports indicate that approximately 10% of those with Trichotillomania also eat their hair after they pull it (Trichophagia). This can result in hairballs called bezoars, which can lead to severe gastrointestinal blockage.
Individuals with Trichotillomania often attempt to camouflage the hair loss that accompanies the disorder. Common camouflaging techniques include the use of hats, scarves, long-sleeve shirts, and false eyelashes. Some with Trichotillomania may even resort to having false eyebrows permanently tattooed. In extreme cases, individuals with Trichotillomania may avoid social situations in an effort to prevent others from seeing the hair loss that results from hair pulling.
Trichotillomania affects more girls than guys. Most people who have it develop it during adolescence. But trichotillomania can start in kids as young as 1 year old.
Some people pull large handfuls of hair, which can leave bald patches on the scalp or eyebrows. Other people pull out their hair one strand at a time. Some inspect the strand after pulling it out or play with the hair after it's been pulled. About half of people with the condition put the hair in their mouths after pulling it. Some people are very aware of their pulling; others seem to do it without really noticing what they're doing.
It might be hard to understand why some people would pull their own hair or eyelashes out ?or why they wouldn't just stop. But trichotillomania isn't just an ordinary habit that a person can easily stop.
Trichotillomania is a type of compulsive behavior. This means that people with the condition feel an overwhelming urge to pull their hair. They also may have other compulsive habits, such as nail biting or skin picking. Some also have problems like depression, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Compulsive behaviors like trichotillomania involve brain chemistry and may be genetic (meaning they can sometimes run in families).
People with trichotillomania may feel embarrassment, frustration, shame, or depression about the condition. They may worry about what others will think or say. They may feel nagged by people who don't understand that they're not doing this on purpose. They usually try to hide the behavior from others ?even their families. This can make it difficult to get help.
Having trichotillomania can affect how people feel about themselves. Some are self-conscious about how hair pulling affects their appearance. Because of this, they might feel less confident about making friends or dating. Others might feel powerless to control the urge to pull or blame themselves for not being able to stop. Feelings like these can cause a person's self-image to suffer.
Why Do People Feel Compelled to Pull Their Hair?Doctors don't know for certain what causes trichotillomania. Some think it could be related to obsessive-compulsive disorder since OCD and trichotillomania both involve repetitive behaviors.
Experts think that compulsive behaviors like hair pulling may be caused by an imbalance in the brain’s chemistry. A type of brain chemical, called neurotransmitters, is a normal part of the brain's communication center. When something interferes with how neurotransmitters work, it can cause problems like compulsive or repetitive behaviors.
Some people with trichotillomania say that they notice sensations in their scalp or skin. For example, it may be a tingling feeling that can only be relieved by pulling, like the feeling of relief that comes from scratching an itch. Some people say that they notice a satisfying feeling when they pull their hair. Others don't even notice when they pull and do it without thinking.
Any relief that comes with hair pulling usually only lasts for a moment. The urge almost always returns. That's because when the mind becomes used to giving in to the powerful urges that go with compulsive behaviors, the behavior is reinforced, and then becomes a habit. The mind gets trapped in a cycle of expecting to have the urge satisfied. The longer this goes on, the harder it can become to resist the urge.
How Do People Overcome the Hair-Pulling Urge?Because trichotillomania is a biological brain condition, it's not something that most people who have it can just stop doing when they feel like it. They usually need help from medical and behavioral specialists before they can stop. With the right help, though, most overcome their hair-pulling urges. When someone is able to stop pulling, hair usually grows back.
Treatment of Trichotillomania
Overcoming hair-pulling urges may involve a specific type of talk therapy called CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), or HRT( habit reversal therapy) medication, or a combination of both.
Therapists teach people with trichotillomania special behavior techniques that help them to recognize the urge to pull hair before it becomes too strong to resist. This can involve learning to identify situations, places, or times that have become connected with the behavior and that act as triggers for it. The person learns ways to change or eliminate these triggers. This can then help someone resist the urges so that they eventually grow weaker and then go away.
To gather the information necessary to do this, a therapist will usually recommend keeping a record or diary of pulling episodes. A therapist also can help people to regain confidence and feel better about themselves.
Because the urges and habits that lead to hair pulling are so strong, someone may feel more tension or anxiety when first trying to resist the urge. That's why it helps to work with an expert who can offer support and practical advice about how to reverse these powerful influences.
After starting with therapy, doctors can prescribe medication if extra help is needed. Some medications can help the brain deal better with urges, making them easier to resist. Many people find it helpful to keep their hands busy with a different activity (like squeezing a stress ball, handling textured objects, or drawing) during times or activities when a pulling urge is the strongest. Knitting while watching TV can help to keep the hands busy at a time when you might feel the urge to pull your hair.
Homework time can be harder, when you tend o pull more while doing your homework ?partly because you are worried about doing well on a project or test, and partly because you can tend to pull more when you sit in one place for long periods of time.
A stress therapy is needed to talk about ways to deal with homework stress. Striving for perfection can only add to your tension. Your therapist can help you see that you could still do good work without having to be perfect.
Once you feel more relaxed ?and still able to do excellent work ?one's confidence can grow. It 's helpful to take breaks during your homework sessions.
Getting up and moving around for a few minutes seemed to help.
If you're worried about hair pulling, talk to a parent, school counselor, or someone you trust about getting help overcoming the problem.
http://www.ocdla.com/trichotillomania.ht?/a>
Take the test below to determine if you do have the OCD ( obsessive-compulsive disorder).
http://www.ocdla.com/trichotillomania-ha?/a>
Trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder.or Compulsive Hair Pulling) is a type of psychological condition that involves strong urges to pull out one's own hair.
Trichotillomania has obsessive-compulsive features that are quite similar to Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), as well as Body Dysmorphic Disorder(BDD), and Dermatillomania, also known as Compulsive Skin Picking (CSP). In fact, it is not unusual for an individual with Trichotillomania to also have features of OCD, BDD, and/or CSP.
What Happens With Trichotillomania?
The defining characteristic of Trichotillomania is the recurrent, compulsive pulling out of one's own hair, often resulting in observable hair loss. Usually, but not always, the scalp and/or face are the primary locations for hair pulling. While the most common hair pulling sites are the scalp, eyebrows, and eyelashes, Trichotillomania may involve any part of the body with hair. Less common locations for hair pulling include the pubic area, perirectal region, arms, chest, and legs. An individual with Trichotillomania may use his or her fingernails, as well as tweezers, pins or other mechanical devices. In severe cases, Trichotillomania can result in permanent hair loss or skin damage.
Often, but not always, Trichotillomania episodes are preceded by a high level of tension and a strong "urge". Likewise, hair pulling is usually, but not always, followed by a sensation of relief or pleasure. Hair pulling is usually done alone, often while watching TV, reading, talking on the phone, driving or while grooming in the bathroom.
A Trichotillomania episode may be triggered by a negative mood state or occur in response to stress, but may also occur while an individual is calm and relaxed. Sometimes hair pulling is done as a conscious behavior, but it is frequently done as an unconscious habit. Recent reports indicate that approximately 10% of those with Trichotillomania also eat their hair after they pull it (Trichophagia). This can result in hairballs called bezoars, which can lead to severe gastrointestinal blockage.
Individuals with Trichotillomania often attempt to camouflage the hair loss that accompanies the disorder. Common camouflaging techniques include the use of hats, scarves, long-sleeve shirts, and false eyelashes. Some with Trichotillomania may even resort to having false eyebrows permanently tattooed. In extreme cases, individuals with Trichotillomania may avoid social situations in an effort to prevent others from seeing the hair loss that results from hair pulling.
Trichotillomania affects more girls than guys. Most people who have it develop it during adolescence. But trichotillomania can start in kids as young as 1 year old.
Some people pull large handfuls of hair, which can leave bald patches on the scalp or eyebrows. Other people pull out their hair one strand at a time. Some inspect the strand after pulling it out or play with the hair after it's been pulled. About half of people with the condition put the hair in their mouths after pulling it. Some people are very aware of their pulling; others seem to do it without really noticing what they're doing.
It might be hard to understand why some people would pull their own hair or eyelashes out ?or why they wouldn't just stop. But trichotillomania isn't just an ordinary habit that a person can easily stop.
Trichotillomania is a type of compulsive behavior. This means that people with the condition feel an overwhelming urge to pull their hair. They also may have other compulsive habits, such as nail biting or skin picking. Some also have problems like depression, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Compulsive behaviors like trichotillomania involve brain chemistry and may be genetic (meaning they can sometimes run in families).
People with trichotillomania may feel embarrassment, frustration, shame, or depression about the condition. They may worry about what others will think or say. They may feel nagged by people who don't understand that they're not doing this on purpose. They usually try to hide the behavior from others ?even their families. This can make it difficult to get help.
Having trichotillomania can affect how people feel about themselves. Some are self-conscious about how hair pulling affects their appearance. Because of this, they might feel less confident about making friends or dating. Others might feel powerless to control the urge to pull or blame themselves for not being able to stop. Feelings like these can cause a person's self-image to suffer.
Why Do People Feel Compelled to Pull Their Hair?Doctors don't know for certain what causes trichotillomania. Some think it could be related to obsessive-compulsive disorder since OCD and trichotillomania both involve repetitive behaviors.
Experts think that compulsive behaviors like hair pulling may be caused by an imbalance in the brain’s chemistry. A type of brain chemical, called neurotransmitters, is a normal part of the brain's communication center. When something interferes with how neurotransmitters work, it can cause problems like compulsive or repetitive behaviors.
Some people with trichotillomania say that they notice sensations in their scalp or skin. For example, it may be a tingling feeling that can only be relieved by pulling, like the feeling of relief that comes from scratching an itch. Some people say that they notice a satisfying feeling when they pull their hair. Others don't even notice when they pull and do it without thinking.
Any relief that comes with hair pulling usually only lasts for a moment. The urge almost always returns. That's because when the mind becomes used to giving in to the powerful urges that go with compulsive behaviors, the behavior is reinforced, and then becomes a habit. The mind gets trapped in a cycle of expecting to have the urge satisfied. The longer this goes on, the harder it can become to resist the urge.
How Do People Overcome the Hair-Pulling Urge?Because trichotillomania is a biological brain condition, it's not something that most people who have it can just stop doing when they feel like it. They usually need help from medical and behavioral specialists before they can stop. With the right help, though, most overcome their hair-pulling urges. When someone is able to stop pulling, hair usually grows back.
Treatment of Trichotillomania
Overcoming hair-pulling urges may involve a specific type of talk therapy called CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), or HRT( habit reversal therapy) medication, or a combination of both.
Therapists teach people with trichotillomania special behavior techniques that help them to recognize the urge to pull hair before it becomes too strong to resist. This can involve learning to identify situations, places, or times that have become connected with the behavior and that act as triggers for it. The person learns ways to change or eliminate these triggers. This can then help someone resist the urges so that they eventually grow weaker and then go away.
To gather the information necessary to do this, a therapist will usually recommend keeping a record or diary of pulling episodes. A therapist also can help people to regain confidence and feel better about themselves.
Because the urges and habits that lead to hair pulling are so strong, someone may feel more tension or anxiety when first trying to resist the urge. That's why it helps to work with an expert who can offer support and practical advice about how to reverse these powerful influences.
After starting with therapy, doctors can prescribe medication if extra help is needed. Some medications can help the brain deal better with urges, making them easier to resist. Many people find it helpful to keep their hands busy with a different activity (like squeezing a stress ball, handling textured objects, or drawing) during times or activities when a pulling urge is the strongest. Knitting while watching TV can help to keep the hands busy at a time when you might feel the urge to pull your hair.
Homework time can be harder, when you tend o pull more while doing your homework ?partly because you are worried about doing well on a project or test, and partly because you can tend to pull more when you sit in one place for long periods of time.
A stress therapy is needed to talk about ways to deal with homework stress. Striving for perfection can only add to your tension. Your therapist can help you see that you could still do good work without having to be perfect.
Once you feel more relaxed ?and still able to do excellent work ?one's confidence can grow. It 's helpful to take breaks during your homework sessions.
Getting up and moving around for a few minutes seemed to help.
If you're worried about hair pulling, talk to a parent, school counselor, or someone you trust about getting help overcoming the problem.
http://www.ocdla.com/trichotillomania.ht?/a>
Take the test below to determine if you do have the OCD ( obsessive-compulsive disorder).
http://www.ocdla.com/trichotillomania-ha?/a>
Source(s):
professional nurse
Some anxiety possibly? I'd take it up with a professional.
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