Trichotillomania Test
I find myself removing hair from places like my scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, or other body areas.
This habit sometimes leaves me with noticeable patches where hair is missing.
The compulsion to pull out my hair can feel incredibly strong and hard to resist.
Right before I start pulling, I often sense a buildup of tension in my mind or body.
My efforts to quit pulling my hair don't usually last very long.
I tend to keep my hair-pulling actions private from friends and family.
When I'm pulling, I often seek out specific hairs that stand out, like ones that are thicker or have a different texture.
This behavior leaves me feeling upset, guilty, or down about myself.
Once I've pulled a hair, I might examine its root, play with it in my fingers, or brush it against my skin.
Sometimes I feel a prickly or itchy feeling on my scalp or skin that goes away after I pull a hair.
I notice I start pulling my hair when I'm feeling bored or have nothing to do.
During pulling episodes, it can seem like my actions are happening almost automatically.
I steer clear of activities like haircuts or windy days where people might see my hair loss or notice me pulling.
Even when I'm deeply engaged in another task, I might begin pulling my hair without fully realizing it.
Pulling out a hair brings a temporary sense of calm or pleasure.
I feel awkward or self-conscious if someone finds out about my hair-pulling habit.
There are times when I pull my hair without being consciously aware that I'm doing it.
I get frustrated with myself for continuing to pull out my hair.
I skip social events because I worry others will discover my hair-pulling.
My urge to pull hair tends to increase when I'm feeling stressed or anxious.
20 questions remaining
Things to Know
- Body-focused repetitive behaviours (BFRBs) are a group of disorders that include trichotillomania. All of these disorders involve compulsive and distressing urges to groom oneself.
- Trichotillomania may coexist with other body-focused repetitive behaviours, such as dermatillomania (skin-picking disorder) and onychophagia (nail-biting disorder). It also often happens with other mental illnesses, especially ADHD, depression, and anxiety.
- Up to 2% of people have trichotillomania. But only a small number of people get help because many don't know that pulling out hair can be a disorder and instead think it's because they don't have enough willpower.
- Trichotillomania symptoms can show up at any time. But they often start around puberty, which is already a very emotional time that can make the shame and distress caused by the disorder worse.
- About 20% of people with trichotillomania also have trichophagia, which means they eat the hairs they pull out. Trichophagia can be dangerous, even deadly, because it can cause hairballs that block the passage of hair.
- There is no one treatment that works for everyone, but some have been shown to provide long-lasting relief. Cognitive behavioural therapy, along with habit reversal training, is the first-line treatment for trichotillomania; medication may also assist in symptom management.
What to Do Next
Get help. Trichotillomania is not a lack of willpower; it's a serious disorder that can cause a lot of pain. Getting treatment could change your life for the better.
Find out what makes you pull. Do you pull when you're bored, anxious, or concentrating on something? Finding out what makes you pull can help you get them under control.
Talk to people you trust. Shame is a big part of BFRBs, and talking about the real problems you have can make you feel stronger.
