Trichotillomania - Anxiety Related Hair Loss?

Trichotillomania? What Is Anxiety Related Hair Loss?

To a certain extent, losing some hair is normal with the average man and woman shedding fifty to one hundred hairs per day. How much hair loss is cause for concern? In the case of battling an illness or dealing with substantial emotional distress, you may lose even more hair. And while some conditions cause hair loss without any physical intervention, there’s another health concern that results in the uncontrollable urge to pull hair from the scalp and other areas of the body. This is condition is known as trichotillomania and it currently affects nearly 4% of the U.S. population.

What Causes Trichotillomania?

And while there is no one definitive cause of trichotillomania, there is a theory that it’s the result of a chemical messenger disruption between the brain and the nerve cells, while another potential cause may be due to a genetic predisposition. In some cases, a major life change or traumatic event could contribute to the development of trichotillomania. For example, a child whose parents have divorced may have a tough time dealing with the separation and begins relying "Trich" to relieve internal pain. Death, abuse, and even feelings of boredom could also contribute in the development of "Trich".

Trichotillomania, Also Known As "Trich" Is A Sign Of Anxiety

Trichotillomania, also known as “trich”, is a condition that stems from major anxiety. It’s characterized by the compulsion to pull out hairs from areas like the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, and other areas of the body in order to neutralize feelings of anxiety. In many cases, it can result in substantial hair loss and bald patches. Recent research suggests that poor emotional control and psychological inflexibility could play a part in this disorder, meaning adults with trichotillomania may have issues coping with their emotions and thought patterns. Unfortunately, for many of these emotionally distressed men and women, compulsively pulling out their hair is the only way they're able to deal with these feelings.

Trichotillomania, Who Are Mostly Affected?

What research has pin pointed is that most individuals diagnosed with trichotillomania are between the ages of nine and 13, which means that parents may need to take action if they notice the potential signs of anxiety-induced behaviors in their children. Otherwise, this condition can persist for years. Trichotillomania doesn’t get a lot of attention and is often dismissed in terms of its severity, so parents and teens really need to paying attention to the signs. It’s a condition that can be successfully treated but that also has drastic consequences if it’s ignored and is often a symptom that something bigger is going on.

Trichotillomania, Coping And Combating

Suisse Natural Hair Salon in Newton Massachusetts has worked with many teenagers, young adults and their parents to help them learn more about Trichotillomania while developing a system to help reduce the urge to pull out hair on the scalp and receive some of the mental burden. By integrating a natural hair system to the areas of substantial hair loss, these young men and women are able to regain a sense of "looking normal" while also having a protective barrier in which to keep them from continuing to pull out the hair on their scalp.

Suisse Natural Hair Salon is located at 31 Channing St. Newton, MA 02458

Call (617)244-9414 or click here to schedule a private consultation.