Trichotillomania

Considered an impulse control disorder or more recently termed a body-focused repetitive behavior, Trichotillomania is characterized by urges to pull out hair from the scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows, pubic or underarm area, or other parts of the body, and often results in noticeable bald patches and/or damage to the skin.

The most effective and helpful treatment for hair pulling is called Habit Reversal Training (HRT), a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy. HRT teaches individuals to monitor their pulling and to implement strategies designed to effectively stop impulsive hair pulling.