Bajan Sun Magazine - Caribbean Entrepreneurs Vol 1 Issue 10 | Page 78

BAJAN SUN MAGAZINE DEC 2014 SKIN GURU TRICHOTILLOMANIA By Dr. Andrew Forde Dr. Forde’s Office is located in the Pine Medical Centre, Suite 3, 3rd Ave, Belleville, St Michael, Barbados . Telephone (246) 429 5863 Email: skindeeo@caribsurf.com T richotillomania is a self-induced form of hair loss. Dermatologist Francois Hallopeau coined the term derived from the Greek: trich (hair), tillen (to pull) and mania (an abnormal love for a specific object, place or action). This disorder is often seen in children ages 9-13yrs. In this age group it represents a repetitive fiddling, twisting and pulling of the hair. These bad habits result in hair breakage. Fortunately these behaviours are not usually permanent. new growth with tapered ends, or some uneven stubble. Most children outgrow this condition with conservative management. Behaviour modification programmes and sometimes referral to psychologists and psychiatrists are required. Trichotillomania in adults often represents varying degrees of anxiety, depression, unhappiness, post traumatic stress and even psychosis. Sometimes poor impulse control and obsessive-compulsive tendencies are involved. The scalp is the most common site of involvement and usually one or two areas develop. The hair loss is asymmetrical and it often corresponds with the dominant hand. Patients exhibit hair of differing lengths; some are broken with blunt ends, some broken mid-shaft, some www.bajansunonline.com/MAGAZINE/ | info@bajansunonline.com | @BajanSunOnline