<p> Did you know that there are people who are obsessive hair-pluckers? They suffer from a behavioural disorder called “Trichotillomania”, enlightens Dr Shahid Shamsher .<br /><br /></p>.<p>Sonia had been making excuses for the bald patch on the back of her head for a long time. Sometimes she says it was because of the helmet she had to wear while riding the two-wheeler and sometimes it was a ‘tight’ cap that she had to wear at work. Sonia was sure that her friends and family members did not believe her excuses, but she didn’t know how to tell them what was happening to her. The fact was that Sonia had been pulling hair since she was 12 and was clueless on how to stop it. <br /><br />Mostly she’d do it without her knowledge, and later feel miserable about having lost so much hair. Finally, it was her mother who decided to step in and take her to the doctor. They were told by the doctor that Sonia suffered from Trichotillomania (pronounced trik-oh-till-oh-may-nee-uh), a behavioural disorder in which the person has strong urges to pull out his/her hair.This disorder is seen in girls more than boys and most of them develop it during adolescence.<br /><br />What is Trichotillomania?<br /><br />So if you’ve been pulling hair out at the roots from your scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, you could be suffering from Trichotillomania. While all those suffering from this disorder pull at their hair, the pattern may differ. Some pull large handfuls of hair from their scalp leaving bald patches and others may just pull one strand at a time.<br /><br />You may not understand the urge to pull your own hair but Trichotillomania is not a common habit which you can get rid of overnight. It is a type of compulsive behaviour where you have an overwhelming urge to pull out your hair. <br /><br />Look for signs<br /><br />So if you think you, your loved one or friend has been acting weird, refusing to meet people, keeping their hair covered with scarves or caps, look for these signs:<br /><br />* Continuous pulling of hair<br />* Bald patches on the scalp <br />* Missing eyebrows or eyelashes<br />* Chewing on the pulled out hair<br />* Tension after pulling out hair<br />* Relief or pleasure while and after pulling out the hair<br /><br />If you have any of the above mentioned symptoms acknowledge that there is a problem and get yourself treated. Convincing yourself that there is no problem is not going to make the problem go away. <br /><br />Identify the triggers<br /><br />Once you’ve acknowledged it, identify the triggers. There are several reasons that cause trichotillomania. It could be:<br />* Distressing childhood experiences<br />* Disturbed relationship between parents<br />* A traumatic event<br /><br />Studies have shown that pulling out hair is one way of coping with the trauma. In addition, constant pulling of hair can cause infections on your scalp or specific area you are pulling hair from.<br /><br />Curing it<br /><br />* You can reverse the habit by motivating yourself. Keep a diary and write down every emotion you go through. Note down the number of times you pulled your hair and also write down your thoughts while you pulled – whether you were distressed or angry or ashamed. Expressing your feelings, even if it is in your journal can serve as a reality check. <br /><br />* Stress can be a trigger. It could be your girlfriend/boyfriend, a bully in the class or a relative. So get away from the trigger factor.<br /><br />* Become more sociable, meet more people<br /><br />* Listen to soothing music<br /><br />*Keep your hands busy by scribbling <br /><br />* Practice yoga<br /><br />* Do deep breathing exercises – inhale through your nose and exhale out of your mouth. Repeat five times and practice daily.<br /><br />* Get good eight hours of sleep every night<br /><br />* Surround yourself with positive people<br /><br />* If you want a physical barrier, try wearing rubber gloves that may discourage hair pulling<br />Most of all seek help for the hair pulling condition. Talk to a good friend, a loved one or a counsellor. It is important to modify your behaviour, so every time you have the urge to pull, change it to a stroke and rub. Remember, if you gain some self-control, you will start to heal.<br /><br />(The writer is a trichologist)</p>
<p> Did you know that there are people who are obsessive hair-pluckers? They suffer from a behavioural disorder called “Trichotillomania”, enlightens Dr Shahid Shamsher .<br /><br /></p>.<p>Sonia had been making excuses for the bald patch on the back of her head for a long time. Sometimes she says it was because of the helmet she had to wear while riding the two-wheeler and sometimes it was a ‘tight’ cap that she had to wear at work. Sonia was sure that her friends and family members did not believe her excuses, but she didn’t know how to tell them what was happening to her. The fact was that Sonia had been pulling hair since she was 12 and was clueless on how to stop it. <br /><br />Mostly she’d do it without her knowledge, and later feel miserable about having lost so much hair. Finally, it was her mother who decided to step in and take her to the doctor. They were told by the doctor that Sonia suffered from Trichotillomania (pronounced trik-oh-till-oh-may-nee-uh), a behavioural disorder in which the person has strong urges to pull out his/her hair.This disorder is seen in girls more than boys and most of them develop it during adolescence.<br /><br />What is Trichotillomania?<br /><br />So if you’ve been pulling hair out at the roots from your scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, you could be suffering from Trichotillomania. While all those suffering from this disorder pull at their hair, the pattern may differ. Some pull large handfuls of hair from their scalp leaving bald patches and others may just pull one strand at a time.<br /><br />You may not understand the urge to pull your own hair but Trichotillomania is not a common habit which you can get rid of overnight. It is a type of compulsive behaviour where you have an overwhelming urge to pull out your hair. <br /><br />Look for signs<br /><br />So if you think you, your loved one or friend has been acting weird, refusing to meet people, keeping their hair covered with scarves or caps, look for these signs:<br /><br />* Continuous pulling of hair<br />* Bald patches on the scalp <br />* Missing eyebrows or eyelashes<br />* Chewing on the pulled out hair<br />* Tension after pulling out hair<br />* Relief or pleasure while and after pulling out the hair<br /><br />If you have any of the above mentioned symptoms acknowledge that there is a problem and get yourself treated. Convincing yourself that there is no problem is not going to make the problem go away. <br /><br />Identify the triggers<br /><br />Once you’ve acknowledged it, identify the triggers. There are several reasons that cause trichotillomania. It could be:<br />* Distressing childhood experiences<br />* Disturbed relationship between parents<br />* A traumatic event<br /><br />Studies have shown that pulling out hair is one way of coping with the trauma. In addition, constant pulling of hair can cause infections on your scalp or specific area you are pulling hair from.<br /><br />Curing it<br /><br />* You can reverse the habit by motivating yourself. Keep a diary and write down every emotion you go through. Note down the number of times you pulled your hair and also write down your thoughts while you pulled – whether you were distressed or angry or ashamed. Expressing your feelings, even if it is in your journal can serve as a reality check. <br /><br />* Stress can be a trigger. It could be your girlfriend/boyfriend, a bully in the class or a relative. So get away from the trigger factor.<br /><br />* Become more sociable, meet more people<br /><br />* Listen to soothing music<br /><br />*Keep your hands busy by scribbling <br /><br />* Practice yoga<br /><br />* Do deep breathing exercises – inhale through your nose and exhale out of your mouth. Repeat five times and practice daily.<br /><br />* Get good eight hours of sleep every night<br /><br />* Surround yourself with positive people<br /><br />* If you want a physical barrier, try wearing rubber gloves that may discourage hair pulling<br />Most of all seek help for the hair pulling condition. Talk to a good friend, a loved one or a counsellor. It is important to modify your behaviour, so every time you have the urge to pull, change it to a stroke and rub. Remember, if you gain some self-control, you will start to heal.<br /><br />(The writer is a trichologist)</p>
