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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffAlthough it may not seem particularly serious, trichotillomania can have a great impact on your life. Complications include:
- Hair loss. Constant hair pulling can destroy hair follicles, so your hair doesn't regrow normally. You may also have abrasions and other damage to the skin on your scalp.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome can result from the repetitive motions involved in habitual hair pulling.
- Hair balls. It's possible to develop a large, matted hairball — technically called a trichobezoar — when you eat hair that you've pulled from your scalp. Over a period of years, the hairball can cause weight loss, vomiting, intestinal obstruction and even death.
- Lifestyle restrictions. Some people learn to live with trichotillomania, while others may find their lives greatly changed by the disorder. They may experience shame and fear, avoiding swimming, haircuts and windy weather. They may wear wigs, style their hair to disguise bald patches or wear false eyelashes. Their relationships may suffer; some people may shy away from intimacy for fear that their condition will be discovered.
- Emotional distress. Many people with trichotillomania feel shame, humiliation and embarrassment and experience low self-esteem, depression and anxiety. Some consider suicide.
References
- Woods DW, et al. Trichotillomania: An ACT-enhanced Behavior Therapy Approach Therapist Guide. New York, N.Y.: Oxford University Press; 2008.
- Fact sheet: Trichotillomania. Mental Health America. http://www.nmha.org/index.cfm?objectid=C7DF9926-1372-4D20-C88C1DDD5A71D709. Accessed Dec. 1, 2008.
- About trichotillomania. Trichotillomania Learning Center. http://www.trich.org/about_trich. Accessed Dec. 1, 2008.
- Trichotillomania in childhood: Case series and review. Pediatrics. 2004;113:3494.
- Trichotillomania. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed Dec. 1, 2008.
- Alternative treatments. Trichotillomania Learning Center. http://www.trich.org/treatment_resources/Alternative.asp. Accessed Dec. 1, 2008.
- Chamberlain SR, et al. Lifting the veil on trichotillomania. American Journal of Psychiatry. 2007;164:568.
- Walsh KH, et al. Trichotillomania. Presentation, etiology, diagnosis and therapy. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology. 2001;2:327.
- Zuchner S et al. SLITRK1 mutations in Tricholtillomania. Molecular Psychiatry. 2006;11:888. http://www.nature.com/mp/journal/v11/n10/full/4001865a.html. Accessed Dec. 29, 2008.
- Woods DW et al. Understanding and Treating Trichotillomania: What We Know and What We Don't Know. Psychiatric Clinics of North America. 2006;29:487. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/article/body/114970872-3/jorg=journal&source=MI&sp=16170821&sid=786898514/N/532552/1.html?issn=0193-953X. Accessed Dec. 29, 2008.
