What is Trichotillomania

Trichotillomania (/ˌtrɪkəˌtɪləˈmeɪniə/ trik-ə-til-ə-may-nee-ə, also known as trichotillosis or hair pulling disorder) is an impulse control disorder characterized by the compulsive urge to pull out one's hair, leading to hair loss and balding, distress, and social or functional impairment.

It appears in the ICD chapter 5 on mental and behavioural disorders, and is often chronic and difficult to treat.

Trichotillomania may be present in infants, but the peak age of onset is 9 to 13. It may be triggered by depression or stress.

Owing to social implications the disorder is often unreported and it is difficult to accurately predict its prevalence; the lifetime prevalence is estimated to be between 0.6% and 4.0% of the overall population.

Common areas for hair to be pulled out are the scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows, legs, arms, hands, nose and the pubic areas.