Many women hate eyebrows, and men pierce themselves to think of women’s pain, but what if someone also loves plucking their hair? What if they enjoy it so much that it becomes a habit and that habit turns into an obsession? There is a medical name for what is called trichotillomania.
Chances are, you may know someone with this obscure condition. It is estimated to affect four percent of the entire human population, and women are four times more likely than men to have hair. a>. You can tell someone has trichotillomania if they have noticeable bald spots on their head that seem to never grow back, or maybe your best friend or family member it has, but you’ll never be able to tell. This condition is “secretive” and most patients never openly discuss their strange behavior in order to avoid being ostracized by society.
It is usually depicted in people who pull hair out of their hair, but hair pulling can be done in other places on the body. /a> too. Common places to pluck from the scalp include eyebrows, eyelashes, pubes, chin, chest, and legs.
Trichotillomania is usually classified along the lines of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Many people who pick hair also have other compulsive behaviors such as nail biting or skin picking. All these together as a body are focused on repeated births.
I started obsessively pulling my hair, but I do it so that no one would ever know that I was just pulling my “excess” hair. One time I sat in bed for several hours and pulled out the hairs on each leg for fun. Hirsutism, or excessive hair growth in areas that are normally hairy for most women, runs deep down my side. family matter I’m not sure if my hirsutism triggered my desire to get rid of my entire head of extra hair, but it seems likely. However, because I am an obsessive-compulsive and ritualistic person by nature, I cannot say that there would not be trichotillomaniac tendencies if they did not pluck out all the excess terminal hairs. I enjoy the feeling of pulling my hair and the feeling of satisfaction every time. It’s like fighting hirsutism one follicle at a time. I’m not sure I could have laser hair removal have my own that I would want to feel!
When people first hear about this upheaval, they often wonder why oh why would someone want to pluck the hairs from their legs. Don’t they just shave instead? It is not well understood why people with trichotillomania do what they do, some do it because they are anxious, and some report that they do it because they are disgusted. It is essentially a medical mystery as far as research goes.
While some suggest it can be treated through a combination of medication, exercise, and support groups, I’m not entirely sure I want to give up my addiction. He does not oppose me or anyone around me, he keeps his wicked chin in his pocket, and I enjoy it. Treatment may be a better choice in those who have complications due to repeated twitching.
Finally, I would add that people with trichotillomania are not crazy. The biggest thing I would like to be aware of about this condition is that maybe most people who love it don’t feel the need to be so secretive and ashamed.
