Doctors are not sure exactly what causes trichotillomania. Most cases begin after a stressful event in the person’s life, thus the disorder may run in families.

Trichotillomania is a type of psychological disorder known an impulse control disorder. Impulse control disorders are characterized by an uncontrollable urge to do something that can bring harm to oneself or others.

People with trichotillomania repetitively pull their hair out at the root from places like the scalp, eyebrows or eyelashes, sometimes causing baldness. Studies show that trichotillomania affects more girls than guys; kids and teens are also more likely to have it than adults.

Symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) often go along with trichotillomania. People with OCD often have unwanted (and most untrue) thoughts that repeat themselves over and over and seem impossible to control. Having the unwanted thought creates a feeling of worry that is only relieved when the thought is followed by a certain behavior.

Trichotillomania is characterized by certain symptoms: irresistible urge to pull out the hair that the person feels she cannot ignore; a feeling of tension before pulling the hair, followed by a sense of relief or pleasure after pulling; noticeable hair loss; distress that interferes with a person’s ability to perform her daily activities such as socializing or going to school.

People with trichotillomania often inspect the strand after pulling it out. They sometimes chew the strands, twirl or play with their hair, or even eat their hair. Affected people sometimes engage in other behaviors such as compulsive nail biting or skin picking. They often have accompanying problems like depression.

Usually, trichotillomania causes the person who has it to feel embarrassed, frustrated, ashamed or depressed. They usually try to hide their behavior from others, which can mean using makeup to hide their bald spots, wearing wigs, and avoiding social situations and activities that would expose their condition, like swimming.

The good news is that with proper treatment, which may involve therapy, medication or a combination of both, most people with trichotillomania are eventually able to stop the impulses that lead to pulling out their hair. If you think you have trichotillomania, talk to a parent or another adult you trust who can help to get treatment.