Trichotillomania (TTM) or "Ttrich" is an impulse control disorder characterised
by the repeated urge to pull out hair:
- scalp hair
- eyelashes
- beard hair
- nose hair
- pubic hair
- eyebrows
- or other body hair
It may be distantly
related to obsessive-compulsive disorder, with which it shares both similarities and differences. Trichotillomania has been
mentioned as a disorder in very early historical records. Onset generally occurs at puberty. There is a strong stress-related
component, that is, in low-stress environments some stop pulling altogether. Pulling resumes when one leaves this environment.
80% of those afflicted are female. Evidence is now starting to accumulate pointing to TTM as being genetic in origin[citation
needed]. Stimulant abuse has also been known to cause, or at least trigger episodes of, trichotillomania.
Most TTM sufferers live relatively normal lives, except for having bald spots on their head, among
their eyelashes, or brows. Eyelashes have been reported to grow back thinner or in much lesser amounts. An additional danger
is from the low self-esteem which comes from being shunned by peers, and the fear of socializing due to appearance. Many clinicians
classify TTM as a mental disorder, though the classification is debatable. Some clinicians classify TTM as a form of obsessive-compulsive
disorder. Some classify TTM as a form of self-harm. Some say it is neurobiological condition. Others say that TTM is no more
a mental disorder than is any other habitual behavior, such as nail biting (onychophagia) or compulsive skin picking (dermatotillomania),
while others say that it is a type of addiction. Many TTM sufferers have relatively normal work and social lives; and TTM
sufferers are not any more likely to have significant personality disorders than anyone else.
