Do I Have Trichotillomania (Hair-Pulling Disorder)?

Do you recurrently pull out your hair, resulting in hair loss?

Do you repeatedly try to stop hair pulling?

Does the hair pulling cause impairment in important areas of functioning (e.g., social, occupational)?

Can you make sure that the hair pulling or hair loss is not better explained by another medical condition (e.g., a dermatological condition)?

Can you make sure that the hair pulling is not attributable to symptoms of another mental disorder (e.g., attempts to improve a perceived flaw in appearance in body dysmorphic disorder)?

Based on your answers, you probably won't be diagnosed with trichotillomania. The essential feature of this disorder is the recurrent pulling out of one’s own hair, with the most common sites the scalp, eyebrows and eyelids. If you are not sure about the severity of your problem, seeking help from your doctor may be an important first step.

Based on your answers, you probably won't be diagnosed with hair-pulling disorder. However, since you are showing several symptoms of the illness, seeking medical attention would be important. If needed your doctor may refer you to a mental health professional.

Based on your answers, there is a strong possibility you will be diagnosed with trichotillomania. The first thing you should do is making an appointment with your doctor. Your doctor will then decide if treatment is necessary. Treatment for trichotillomania can include behavior therapy (you will learn to recognize situations where you are most likely to pull your hair and how to substitute this behavior) and cognitive therapy (you will learn to identify distorted beliefs in relation to hair pulling). Lastly, it may be useful to join a support group for people with the same disorder so you can share your experiences with others.