The Urge to Pull: Trichotillomania

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Most people agree that having hair pulled out is a very unpleasant feeling. For someone with trichotillomania, though, pulling hair out feels good — and may help the person deal with stress and anxiety. Trichotillomania is one of the more unusual hair loss diseases. What causes this hair loss disorder, and can it be cured?

What Is Trichotillomania?

Trichotillomania (TTM) is a disorder that causes a person to have an overwhelming urge to pull out their own hair. Symptoms of trichotillomania include:

  • noticeable hair loss
  • increased tension right before pulling out hair, or when trying to resist pulling
  • pleasure or relief when hair is pulled

As long as hair pulling is not caused by another health issue, and it causes the puller enough problems to interfere with daily life, it can be classified as trichotillomania.

TTM is closely related to obsessive-compulsive disorder. The International OCD Foundation sheds light on the difference between the two:

  • OCD sufferers have repetitive behaviors that distract from bad feelings but do not bring pleasure.
  • TTM sufferers get pleasure or relief from pulling hair.

Scientists do not know the cause of TTM. Symptoms of TTM increase when the body encounters stress. Interestingly, this stress can be either negative stress (e.g., money problems) or positive stress (e.g., planning a trip). The brain does not differentiate between the signals, so both types of stress can increase the desire to pull hair.

What Are Complications of TTM?

On an emotional level, the sufferer may experience tremendous stress and shame because of their behavior. This can prevent them from going to work, engaging in social activities or pursuing higher education. Physically speaking, one of the worst complications occurs when a person eats the hair they pull. Strands of hair can build up in the intestines and cause painful, even life-threatening blockages, which may require surgery.

Can Trichotillomania be Cured?

There are several treatments for TTM. Different methods may work for some and not for others.

Cognitive Behavior Therapy

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) interrupts and resets the mental processes that lead to hair pulling. Through CBT, the patient identifies the factors that lead to the desire to pull, then learns techniques that can redirect those urges. To be effective, CBT should be performed by a qualified psychologist.

Medication

There are several medications that have been helpful for TTM patients. Among the most effective are the antidepressant clomipramine and the amino acid N-acetyl cysteine. SSRIs like Prozac have had mixed results; a few patients have reported that they stopped pulling their hair completely, while others felt no effect whatsoever.

Support Groups

Because sufferers of trichotillomania deal with debilitating of shame, support groups can be very helpful. Hair pullers may find that being in a support group helps them to focus their energies on finding an effective strategy, rather than hiding their disorder and feeling embarrassed.

Alternative Therapies

Certain hair pullers have reported success with alternative therapies like biofeedback, hypnotism or a strict regimen of diet and exercise. These methods have not been studied by scientists, so their usefulness remains in question.
Who Suffers from Trichotillomania?

Trichotillomania often begins in childhood or adolescence, but TTM symptoms can onset at any time in life. Boys and girls seem to be equally affected in childhood, but among adults, TTM appears to be more common among women.

Actress Olivia Munn has been open about suffering from Trichotillomania. In an interview for Self magazine, she speaks of the stress that brought on hair pulling. “I had it growing up, having had a little bit of a tumultuous upbringing, moving around a lot with a mixed family with five kids.” She remarked that the stress of being an actress has, at times, brought that anxiety back. “I just didn’t want to let anybody down,” she said.

Trichotillomania can affect anyone at any age. VanScoy Hair Clinics specializes in hair replacement and hair loss solutions for those who suffer from Trichotillomania. We have many options to choose from. To learn more, call us at (419) 289-6665 or click here and make an appointment online.

Photo Credit: Martin Cathrae Via Flickr Creative Commons

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Hair Loss Myths: Fact or Fiction

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Many people facing hair loss are well informed on the ins and outs of their specific condition. They might have heard that at least half of all men will have experience some degree of hair loss by the age of 50, or that 40 percent of hair loss victims are women, or even that the leading cause of hair loss is hereditary patterns. Although those are all true statements, there are some fictitious statements that get passed around which help the hair loss industry along. The real trouble is trying to decipher between fact and fiction.

Is it really your mom’s side of the family to blame for your hair loss? Can wearing a baseball hat actually make you go bald? The following are a few of the most common myths about hair loss, fact or fiction:

Hair Loss comes from the mother’s side

Fiction! Contrary to what people say, it is not your mom’s side to blame for your hair loss. Although male pattern baldness is hereditary, it has been proven that the condition could just as easily come from the father’s side as well. Since this condition is genetic, it cannot be prevented, but it can be treated.

Baseball Caps Cause Baldness

This one is actually fiction to. Health experts have not found any sort of specific link between hair loss and wearing a cap. Only hats that are tight enough to cut off circulation to the follicles would cause hair loss.

Poor Treatment of Hair, Causes Hair Loss

Fact! Using too much styling product like dyes and perms can cause hair loss. It is also stated that tight buns and braids can cause hair loss through follicle damage, so be sure to avoid those as much as possible. Even women that are trying to bleach their hair with natural sunlight should be sure to put a hat on because overexposure to the sun’s UV rays have shown to cause hair loss as well.

Hair Loss from Stress

This is a fact, but not in every aspect. Scientists have found that extreme emotional or medical related trauma can cause sudden hair loss. However, it is noted that stress stemming from every day stress of work and family life will not cause hair loss.

Hair Loss Only Occurs When You’re Old

This is fiction. Just like some of the examples given above, male pattern baldness among other conditions can occur as early as the teen years, or the early 20’s for women. For these cases, VanScoy hair loss specialists can work to help rule out a typical causes such as hormonal issues.

Let us help

Everyone is different when it comes to the reasons for hair loss. We understand that your needs are different than other, which is why we off many different hair replacement options. Visit us today for a free consultation.

 

Photo Credit: Chun-Hung Eric Cheng via Flickr Creative Commons

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Diet-Related Hair Loss

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Diet-Related Hair Loss

Could your diet be causing your hair loss? Following a restrictive diet can cause your hair to thin or even fall out. If you need to stick to a diet for medical or lifestyle reasons, use these tips to make sure you get all the nutrients you need to keep your hair healthy.

Weight Loss and Hair Loss

Shedding pounds to reach a healthy weight can reduce your risk of many long-term health conditions, but in the short-term a very low-calorie diet can have negative effects on hair health. According to dermatologists, hair loss is common after a weight loss of 15 or more pounds, but growth usually returns once the weight stabilizes.

Protein for Hair Health

Hair is made from protein, so not getting enough protein reduces your body’s ability to produce hair. This causes a disproportionately large number of hairs to go into the resting phase of hair growth, which lasts around three months, before falling out. If you notice that you are shedding more hairs than usual, check that you are getting enough protein in your diet. Adults need to eat two or three servings of protein-rich foods every day, such as lean meat, fish, beans, eggs or peanut butter.

Iron and Hair Loss

Hair loss can be a symptom of iron deficiency, which your doctor can quickly diagnose using a blood test. Vegetarians are most likely to suffer from iron deficiency, as iron in plants is not as easily absorbed by the body as iron in meat. If you are vegetarian, consider eating cereals that have been fortified with iron to increase your intake. Soybeans, pumpkin seeds, lentils and spinach are also good sources of iron.

Vitamin D for Hair Health

Many people don’t get enough vitamin D. The body can produce vitamin D when the skin is exposed to sunlight, but excessive sun exposure can increase the risk of skin cancer. Other sources of vitamin D include fortified cereals and milk. Vitamin D plays a vital role in the body’s cycle of hair production.

If you’re worried about hair loss, see your doctor for advice. Many vitamin deficiencies can be quickly diagnosed with a blood test. Once you know which nutrients you lack, you can change your diet or take supplements to support the health of your hair.

For any questions you may have or to speak to a hair loss expert, Contact Us or visit our website for more information!

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We’re on TV – Talking about Hair Loss (Part 4)

Here’s part two of our interview on “I Love My Job” on Columbus TV.  We’re talking about hair loss, hair loss treatments and what can be done about thinning hair and balding in men and women.  Here’s part four of our interview.  We’re always here to talk with you privately and confidentially about any hair loss concerns you may have.  Please give us a call.  There’s no obligation at all.

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We’re on TV – Talking about Hair Loss (Part 3)

Here’s part two of our interview on “I Love My Job” on Columbus TV.  We’re talking about hair loss, hair loss treatments and what can be done about thinning hair and balding in men and women.  Here’s part three of our interview.  We’re always here to talk with you privately and confidentially about any hair loss concerns you may have.  Please give us a call.  There’s no obligation at all.

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We’re on TV – Talking about Hair Loss (Part 2)

Here’s part two of our interview on “I Love My Job” on Columbus TV.  We’re talking about hair loss, hair loss treatments and what can be done about thinning hair and balding in men and women.  Here’s part two of our interview.  We’re always here to talk with you privately and confidentially about any hair loss concerns you may have.  Please give us a call.  There’s no obligation at all.

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We’re on TV – Talking about Hair Loss (Part 1)

We were on TV here in Columbus this past week, talking about hair loss, hair loss treatments and what can be done about thinning hair and balding in men and women.  Here’s the first part of our interview.  We hope you enjoy it.

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It’s a Question of How Much | Men’s vs. Women’s Hair Care

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Hair Care WhatnotsMen have been puzzled for years as to how much women spend on hair care products. They don’t understand the amount it cost to keep up on the style, keep long hair healthy, and everything else that goes into it. On average, women spend around $700 a year on just their hair. Surprised? Something that isn’t so surprising is that men spend about one third that, or even less, than women do.

To help men understand what women go through, lets pull back the veil for a second. Women do everything they can to keep those pesky grey hairs from peaking through. And blondes do whatever they can to maintain those roots. So hair coloring adds to the price per year a good amount. Then there are all the other products that go with hair. There’s curling irons, straighteners, blow dryers, and more that can range from $20-$300 each. And we can’t forget about how expensive it can be to find the right shampoos (organic, sulfate-free products).

If a woman has beautiful hair, she will regret nothing about the cost. To many people, keeping their hair maintained and looking great is just the same as staying in shape and eating right. In the grand scheme of things, it evens out because hair loss is more common in men than it is in women. So looking good and keeping hair healthy becomes more of a priority to men when they see it leaving.

With saying that, hair loss is a big issue with both men and women. From alopecia to trichotillomania, or thinning hair to effluvium, Van Scoy Hair Clinics can help with any needs in hair loss you might have. Contact us HERE, and our trained professionals can meet with you at our free consultation, and plan out what the best course of action will be. Let us help restore your hair and your smile!

Photo Credit: Christina Saint Marche via Flickr Creative Commons

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5 Stages of Hair Loss Grief

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When we experience a major loss, grief is a perfectly normal process that we undergo. The grief process is complex and circular. Unlike many descriptions of the grief process having a beginning and end, with several parts in the middle, the process is not always linear. Grieving includes psychological, emotional, and physical reactions that have an impact on individuals, friends, and family. Read below to learn about some of the common phases that individuals move through as they grieve.

The death of a loved one is not the only cause for grief. Any major change can incite feelings of denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. If you have recently begun losing your hair, you might be feeling any one of these emotions or a combination. It is likely that individuals at any stage of the hair loss process will grieve their previous life. Even though your hair loss may not be permanent, you may miss the time before your hair loss began.

Denial– “I feel fine.”; “This can’t be happening, not to me.” Denial is usually a temporary defense for an individual. When you first begin losing hair or notice your thinning hair, you may not believe it is happening. In fact, you may convince others that you are not losing your hair.

Anger– “Why me? It’s not fair!”; “How can this happen to me?”; ‘”Who is to blame?” Anger is sometimes an emotion that follows denial. Once you’ve acknowledge that hair loss is something that is happening in your life you might become enraged. It doesn’t seem fair that you have to undergo this difficult burden while others do not.

Bargaining- “I’ll do anything.”; “I will give my life savings if…” This stage involves an individual hoping that they can postpone hair loss if they negotiate. Usually, the negotiation is made with a higher power in exchange for the head of hair they once had.

Depression — “I’m so sad, why bother with anything?”, “Why go on?” During this stage, the individual begins to understand and feel the effects of hair loss. Because of this, the person may withdraw and isolate. It’s completely normal to feel sadness and fear in this stage.

Acceptance — “It’s going to be okay.”; “I can’t fight it, I may as well prepare for it.” The acceptance stage is one where the person begins to accept their hair loss and prepare for it. This stage also might include educating others about hair loss and findings solutions for the problem. Grieving is a process that takes time.

Don’t discount your emotions about hair loss. Allow yourself to grieve and reach out to others for support. If you want professional support as you work through this difficult time in life, contact a counselor or support group for guidance. Often, sharing your emotions with others who understand what you are going through is a powerful first step.  Call Van Scoy at (419)-289-6665.

Schedule a private consultation with an expert or see our locations near you.

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October 1 Begins Trichotillomania Awareness Week

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Trichotillomania is a prime example of the type of hair loss disorder that can benefit tremendously from an awareness week. Despite notable prevalence in the United States (2-4% of the population), Trichotillomania remains under the radar for most individuals, including many quality stylists and medical professionals. This lack of awareness fuels misunderstanding and shame while simultaneously impeding personal progress and community support. So let’s spread the awareness!

First, what is Trichotillomania?

  • Well, this mouthful of a disorder is pronounced trick-oh-till-oh-MAY-nee-ah, but most people shorten it to simply trich or TTM. What a relief, right?
  • Trich involves the BFRB (body-focused repetitive behavior) of chronic, compulsive hair pulling. It can include hairs on the scalp, face, arms, legs, and pubic area and can feel like anything from a strong, distracting urge to an entirely unnoticed action. There is a lot of variation in its manifestation.
  • People of all ages have been diagnosed with Trichotillomania. It impacts both males and females, but by adulthood, prevalence is much higher in women. Trich is found in happy, well adjusted individuals as well as those whose pulling began as a result of high levels of anxiety or stress. According to the Trichotillomania Learning Center (TLC), “preliminary evidence indicates TTM is a nuero-biological disorder and that genetics may play a role in its development.”
  • Treatments and solutions vary from coping mechanisms and resource support to therapies and medication applications. A definitive cure does not yet exist.

How can you participate in Trichotillomania Awareness Week?

  • Understand the need for awareness. Like the TLC, we want to “envision a world where BFRBs are not a source of shame, and treatment that works is accessible to everyone.” The more we talk about trich, the more it becomes part of a norm rather than an embarrassment or affliction to hide, paving the way for those suffering from Trichotillomania to find a support system and resources for improvement.
  • Share a video. How about this one (shown below) from last year’s campaign?
  • Tell one person a day what you have learned. Set a goal to do your part in spreading awareness about trich by telling one person about the disorder each day during Trichotillomania Awareness Week, starting a week from tomorrow, October 1 – 7. It can be a friend, a family member, or a coworker and is as easy as opening with, “Hey, I read that today is the first day of Trichotillomania Awareness Week. Are you familiar with the condition?”
  • Print and post these cards. The TLC created small cards that can be printed and shared on public bulletin boards at your place of work, church, gym, or community center.

For more ideas on how you can get involved, visit the TLC’s website at trich.org. If you or someone you know is struggling with Trichotillomania, there is help available. Reach out and open the lines of communication today.

Restore Your Hair. Restore Your Life!

With more than 40 years experience, Van Scoy Hair Clinics has offered the latest advances in hair restoration for men and women in our state-of-the-art facilities in Cleveland, Columbus and Ashland, Ohio. Schedule a FREE hair loss and scalp analysis today.

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