Trichotillomania, in which hair and body hair are pulled out unnecessarily for no reason. It has a lot in common with skin peeling, which is also a mental illness, and both require immediate attention.
In this article, we will introduce the symptoms and causes of trichotillomania, how it differs from dermatosis and obsessive-compulsive disorder, and how to treat it effectively.
Table of Contents [hide]
1 What is trichotillomania?
2 How many trichotillomania is there in Japan?
3 Causes of trichotillomania
4 How is it different from skin peeling?
5 How is it different from obsessive-compulsive disorder?
6 Is there a cure?
7 Conclusion
What is trichotillomania?
Trichotillomania is a mental illness in which body hair is pulled out for no particular reason. The target hair is hair, eyelashes, eyebrows, beards, and all kinds of body hair. Among them, the hair loss is conspicuous because of the large amount of hair, and the symptoms are serious.
Many trichotillomania patients understand that it is not good to pull out, but they are unable to stop the act. Losing body hair can also change your appearance, which can be mentally distressing and stressful for both work and private life.
Mainly, alopecia is divided into "conscious type" and "unconscious type". The former involves the act of being aware that you are pulling out your hair and temporarily releasing irritability, itching, and unstable mental states. The latter is the type of person who unknowingly pulls out hair when they are doing something. In many cases, a mixture of both patterns is conspicuous.
How many trichotillomania are there in Japan?
The prevalence of trichotillomania in Japan is about 1~2%. In other words, 100 or 1 out of every 2 Japan people suffer from trichotillomania.
Women account for the majority of trichotillomania patients. The male-to-female ratio is 1:10, which is 10 times more than men. However, it has been pointed out that this is only statistical data, and in fact, there are many male patients who hide their symptoms.
In general, it is said that the most common occurrence of trichotillomania is puberty around the age of 10~12 years. Originally, it was a common symptom in infants and children, but in recent years, it is not uncommon for both men and women to develop it after adulthood. In other words, trichotillomania can occur in any person.
Causes of trichotillomania
So far, the cause of trichotillomania has not been identified. Since it is a mental illness, it has been pointed out that it is related to stress. In any case, further research will be awaited on the clear cause of trichotillomania.
There are many people who say that pulling out their hair calms their unstable mental state. In order to quell the anxious feelings and irritability that does not stop, they are running to hair removal, and by no means self-harm. Regardless of the person's will, it can be said that they are unavoidably responding to impulsive feelings and pulling out their hair.
Also, trichotillomania does not know what triggers it. It can be caused by chronic stress, or it can be triggered by pulling out one strand of hair to stop itching. It is possible that a trivial act can trigger a sudden onset one day.
How is it different from skin peeling?
One of the symptoms that is pointed out as trichotillomania is skin peeling. It is counted as one of the mental disorders like trichotillomania.
What is skin peeling?
Dermatomania is a type of mental illness called obsessive-compulsive disorder, which is characterized by the repeated act of scratching the skin. The location is mainly the skin of the face, arms, palms, etc., and it scratches and damages not only acne and scabs, but also healthy skin. Even though I know that self-harm is bad, I can't resist the urge to scratch and I can't stop it.
While dermatosis is common in adolescents, it can also develop at any age. The prevalence in Japan is 1~2%, and more than three-quarters are women.
Specific Differences
Trichotillomania and dermatomy are very similar only in terms of the difference between body hair and skin, and the timing of onset, prevalence, gender ratio, and the fact that both are types of mental illness and suffer from obsessive thoughts.
While the symptoms of dermatosis are mainly on the skin such as the face and arms, the scalp is the most damaged in trichotillomania. Healthy hair is forcibly pulled and pulled out, causing significant damage to the scalp and causing the destruction of hair matrix cells. If this continues, alopecia can occur.
Even if you overcome trichotillomania, depending on the severity of your symptoms, you may need to take measures to protect and care for your scalp in the long term.
How is it different from obsessive-compulsive disorder?
What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?
Patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder suffer from a state in which some thought or image comes to their mind and they cannot leave it (obsessive-compulsive symptoms), and they take action to counteract it (compulsive behavior). Even in the person himself, he knows that it is an insignificant act, but he just can't stop.
There are four types of obsessions:
(1) "Fear of contamination" that is extremely avoidance of dirt and filth (2) "Fear of perpetration" that you will do something wrong (
3) "Fear of imperfection" that does not fit exactly as you want (4) "Hoarding disorder"
in which people accumulate things because they are afraid of scarcity
These obsessive thoughts lead to the accumulation of stress, which can lead to depression and anxiety disorders.
Specific Differences
In trichotillomania, there is a sense of tension until just before the hair is pulled out, and immediately after the act, you feel a kind of openness and pleasure. Obsessive-compulsive disorder, on the other hand, does not show mental calmness after the act, leaving uncomfortable and disgusted feelings dragging on.
In addition, trichotillomania is characterized by the urge to "pull out hair" rather than the obsessive desire to "have to pull out the hair", and it is not possible to calm down until it is actually pulled out.
In obsessive-compulsive disorder, it is not possible to gain a sense of calm and stability even when it comes to actual acts, so you may stop it by setting a rule that "wash your hands up to 1 times a day".
Is there a cure?
Trichotillomania of unknown cause can also be reversed with self-care and treatment at the hospital. Try your own "Habit Reversal Training" and if you still don't see improvement, see a psychiatrist.
Habit Reversal Training
One of the treatments for trichotillomania performed in psychiatry is cognitive behavioral therapy (habit reversal training). This can be practiced at home, so if you are bothered by symptoms, start with an awareness exercise of "being aware of hair removal".
The word "habit" here means "problematic habit," and it is a therapy in which you first become aware of it and develop the exact opposite behavior or habit. Reflect on the act of hair removal, observe whether there are any emotions peculiar to hair removal, and record the flow of the action. Describe in words the actions that you start unconsciously, write them down in a notebook, etc., and at the same time, write down the advantages and disadvantages of hair removal.
What you do after you have objectively observed your own condition of hair removal is the training to do the exact opposite. Continue the act of clenching your palms tightly and tightening your armpits for more than a few minutes. It is an image of putting the brakes on the hands so that they do not easily go to the hair and beard. Wearing a finger sack at all times is also effective.
Seeing a psychiatrist
If it is difficult to improve on your own, do not hesitate to turn to a medical institution. Effective sources for diagnosing trichotillomania are psychiatry, psychosomatic medicine, and dermatology. Since trichotillomania is classified as a psychiatric disorder, it is desirable to receive treatment in a psychiatrist or psychosomatic department.
Typical psychiatric treatment is drug therapy. No drug has been developed to fundamentally cure trichotillomania, but it is said to be effective as a symptomatic treatment to restore calm to the mental state.
A drug that is often used in the treatment of trichotillomania is SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), which are prescribed for obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression. Since the efficacy of drugs varies from person to person, it is essential to carefully observe the progress after use, and to respond flexibly by changing or discontinuing the use of the drug depending on the situation. In addition, there is a risk of side effects, and it is not recommended to prescribe it to children.
relax
Relaxation exercises to calm the mind also have a certain effect on trichotillomania treatment. Considering that hair removal is largely triggered by unstable emotions such as intense stress and irritability, it is extremely important to relax.
One of the best ways to relax is to breathe belly. Try breathing in rhythm while raising your hands on your stomach with a breathing method that inhales and exhales while being aware of the bulge in your tummy. Cherish the sensation that the hand on your stomach rises when you inhale and slowly lowers when you exhale.
In addition to abdominal breathing, it is also effective to take a walk while touching the outside air. Even a quick walk through the lush park can ease some of the irritability. Walking and walking are a type of hot water exercise that stabilizes the autonomic nervous system, and are ideal for relieving stress. As with abdominal breathing, you will want to incorporate it as a relaxing method to improve trichotillomania.
Gain the understanding and support of those around you
Conclusion
Trichotillomania, a type of mental illness, is often confused with dermatosis and obsessive-compulsive disorder, but it's important to understand the difference. Of the three, trichotillomania is the most damaging to the scalp, so you must be careful about the risk of thinning hair.
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