Trichotillomania is hair loss from repeated urges to pull or twist the hair until it breaks off. Patients are unable to stop this behavior, even as their hair becomes thinner.
trichotillomania
SYMPTOMS:
-Constant tugging, pulling, or twisting of hair
-Denying the hair pulling
-Increasing sense of tension before the hair pulling
-Sense of relief, pleasure, or gratification after the hair pulling
-Anxiety
Trichotillomania is a type of impulsive control disorder. Its causes are not clearly understood. It may affect as much as 4% of the population. Women are four times more likely to be affected than men.