Everybody gets stressed out and anxious from time to time. We are also all dealing with stress and anxiety in our own way. But, if your anxiety is causing you to pull out your hair — whether from your scalp, eyebrows, or anywhere else, you may be suffering from trichotillomania. Keep reading to learn more about the condition and how to seek help.
What is Trichotillomania?
Trichotillomania, often referred to as hair-pulling disorder, is a mental disorder that causes people to experience irresistible, constant, or recurring urges to pull out their hair from the scalp, eyebrows, or other parts of the body, despite efforts to stop.
Trichotillomania often causes patchy bald spots, which can make stress and anxiety worse and interfere with social, home, or work life.
How Anxiety Causes Trichotillomania
Although there are several factors that can lead to trichotillomania, including genetics and behavioral influences, anxiety also plays a role in the disorder. Additionally, trichotillomania can also be triggered by a traumatic event. Studies have known a clear link between high levels of anxiety or depression and the hair-pulling condition. Since trichotillomania is a mental health condition, it is often associated with other conditions aside from anxiety, including:
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Depression
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Trichotillomania Treatments
Wigs and hairpieces can play a big role in recovering from trichotillomania. This is because you can wear them to deter yourself from pulling your hair since the wig will cover it. Also, wigs can hide the hair loss while you seek treatment, relieving some of the stress associated with patchy hair loss while out in public.
- Fidget spinners are great distractions from hair pulling and will give you something to do with your hands instead of pulling your hair.
- Treating your underlying causes of stress and anxiety by seeking help from a therapist or other health care provider can teach you coping mechanisms for anxiety rather than pulling out your hair.
- Meditation and mindfulness practices can help you become more self-aware and at peace, reducing anxiety, stress, and urges to pull your hair.
Help is Available — Contact Transitions Today
Whether you live in Columbus, Ohio, Long Island or New York City, or elsewhere, if you are experiencing the devastating effects of hair loss and would like to learn more about non-surgical hair replacement options available to you, we invite you to consider scheduling a free private, confidential consultation with an experienced hair loss professional near you.