According to many experts it is a form of impulse control disorder...among cleptomania and pyromania. It is the inability to control an impulse of doing harm to one's self.
Still others say that it is an obsessive conpulsive disorder.
It's been said that Trich. is a form of self-injury. Right in the ranks with cutting skin, burning and making bruises.
It's been said that Trich. is caused by stress.
People with Trich. have been called "Maniacs". Trich has been called a freaky disorder.
If you talk to many "Trichsters" (as we like to be called), it is not a form of Self Injury. It can be made worse from stress, but is not caused by it. We are not maniacs, this is not a freaky disorder.
People with Trichotillomania pull out their hair. Most pull from their scalp, but pulling eye lashes, eye brows, arm or leg hair, or pubic hair is common as well.
Many Trichsters have bald spots, many have to wear wigs, because the bald patches are so great. Most Trichster's friends and family do not know that they pull. It is not an easy thing to talk about.
For some, it is the hair itself that is fasinating and they pull to look at it, put in their mouths, or rub it against their skin. At times, not even realizing that they are pulling.
It is not something that we want to do. We want to stop. We do not want to hurt ourselves.
It's just not as easy as not wanting to do it. You cannot stop by wishing you didn't do it. It's not always as easy as willpower alone. It's not black and white.
MEDICATION: I am not a professional...but I am seeing one for help. While my doctor hasn't documented this, she's found a drug that seems to help halt Trich! It's called amoxapine. When taken at low doses it seem to really help with the urges to pull! Talk to your doctor about it! It may just be the "cure" for you as it has been for me!
