Focus: Trichotillomania

In the new this week: Ruth Walters speaks out about her Trichotillomania

What is Trichotillomania (TTM)?

TTM is defined as a compulsive urge to pull out your own hair, including (but not limited to) eyebrows, eyelashes and actual hair. TTM is considered an 'impulse control disorder' but is often related to anxiety disorders.

TTM may also cause people to eat the hair that they pull. 

What triggers people to pull?

How common is TTM?
It is believed that 1 in 50 people will experience some form or degree of TTM at some point in their lives.
It is more common in women than men (although equally so in children) and usually begins during childhood or adolescence.

How is TTM treated?
As with any other psychological disorder, treatment is not as straightforward as it would be for a physical one. Your doctor may want to check you do not have any skin problems in the area you are pulling your hair from, especially if the patient is a child, as this could also cause pulling. Medication, especially Sertraline (Lustra) and Fluoxetine (Prozac) may be prescribed, and therapy may be offered. Psychotherapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy are usually the therapies used.
Some people also recommend hypnosis for the treatment of TTM as it can become a habit that is very hard to break.

I think I have TTM. What can I do?
- See your healthcare provider ASAP. This is the biggest, and scariest, step. I have posted some tips for you for your first visit.
- Support from family and friends is very important in most psychological illnesses, but is shown to be especially so in TTM. If you have someone close to you that you feel comfortable telling, it may be beneficial to do so. They may be able to help point out when you are subconsciously pulling and help to reduce the amount you do it.
- Use the internet! There are tons of support forums and resources out there for you to begin helping yourself. I've included a good list at the bottom of this post! Trich.org provide an extremely helpful self-help program (PDF).

I am a long-term sufferer of TTM. What can I do?
- If you have not approached someone for help, now is the time to do it. If you have, and for whatever reason the medication and/or therapy is not working for you, go back to your healthcare provider and ask for a change. It is important you are pro-active.
- In terms of the hair loss, there are a number of practical things you can do to help reduce the effect on your daily life. I greatly recommend TrichWig.com if you are looking for a wig to cover hair loss. You may even be able to get a prescription to cover the price of the wig.
As for eyelashes and eyebrows, there are some great false eyelashes on the market. For eyebrows, you have the option of having them tattooed on, either permanently or semi-permanently, or there are a variety of good pencils, stencils and tutorials to draw them on and make them look more natural.

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Some people with TTM spend a long time thinking that it isn't a "real" disorder, and that they do not deserve, or need, to be treated. TTM is as much as real disorder as any other form of self-harm or anxious compulsions and deserves, and needs, to be treated as such.
Despite 1 in 50 people being effected as some point, many healthcare providers may not know much about the illness, and you may struggle to receive the support you need. If you do, do not give up. There are plenty of people out there who do have experience with TTM and can help you.

I recommend watching the documentary "Girls on the pull" on Youtube. It is a very well made and informative documentary on Trichotillomania, including many case studies.

Resources
Forums
PsychForums
DailyStrength
TrichStop
PsychCentral - OCD and TTM
SocialAnxietySupport - 'Secondary disorders'
Trich.de - German
Reddit Trichsters and Reddit TTM - Trichsters is far more active

Information
Wiki
NHS (UK)
MayoClinic
KidsHealth
Trichotillomania Learning Center
Trichotillomania Support Online
"Doesn't it hurt?" Ebook

In the news (in the past)
Olivia Munn admits she has suffered with Trichotillomania (eyelashes)
Famous people suffering from Trichotillomania
Official ribbon produced for Trichotillomania
Documentary: 'Girls on the pull' - Part 1
Documentary: 'Girls on the pull' - Part 2

Research
Trich.org - Ongoing research summary
Neuroscience and Trichotillomania

Practicalities
Wigs
How to: Eyebrows (TTM specific)
How to: Eyelashes (TTM specific)
How to: Clip-in toppers (TTM/Thinning hair specific)
Self-Help program (TTM specific) (PDF)

Suffer from Trichotillomania? Know someone who does? Have a link to a great resource I haven't found? Comment below!