Trichotillomania is hair loss from compulsive pulling or
twisting of the hair until it breaks off. Trichotillosis;
Compulsive hair pulling Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Trichotillomania is a type of compulsive behavior. Its causes
are not clearly understood. It may affect as much as 4% of the
population. Women are four times more likely to be affected than
men. Symptoms usually begin before age 17. The hair may come out
in round patches or across the scalp. The effect is an uneven
appearance. The person may pluck other hairy areas, such as the
eyebrows, eyelashes, or body hair. These symptoms are usually
seen in children: - An uneven appearance to the hair - Bare
patches or all around (diffuse) loss of hair - Bowel blockage
(obstruction) if people eat the hair they pull out - Constant
tugging, pulling, or twisting of hair - Denying the hair pulling
- Hair regrowth that feels like stubble in the bare spots -
Increasing sense of tension before the hair pulling - Other
self-injury behaviors - Sense of reli