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What Is The Cause And Treatment For Trichotillomania?

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Posted on Mon, 9 Feb 2015
Question: I suffer from a hair pulling compulsive disorder. Is there anything that can be done to treat the disorder?
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Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Hair pulling or Trichotillomania can be treated with medicines

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM

Hair Pulling is a compulsive disorder and is called as Trichotillomania. The disorder belongs to impulse control disorder and underlying anxiety in individual causes compulsive hair pulling.

Commonly in management of this disorder first of all consultation of dermatologist is advised. Dermatologist helps rule out any dermatological cause behind the symptoms. In most cases dermatologist opinion finds nothing. Once dermatologist opinion is sought then Psychiatrist opinion is advised. In treatment of Trichotillomania anti anxiety drugs are given. Most common drug used is Fluoxetine. Fluoxetine helps to reduce abnormal undesired behaviour and improves symptoms of compulsive hair pulling.

In most cases with such symptoms underlying unconscious anxiety is the reason behind compulsive hair pulling. Treatment of underlying symptoms results in correction of symptoms.

Apart from medicines Behaviour Therapy and relaxation exercises have equal efficacy when compared to medicines.

Visit a psychiatrist for treatment and prescription of drugs. The disorder can be controlled with medicines easily.

Thanks, please ask again for more doubts.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
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Answered by
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Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 5193 Questions

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What Is The Cause And Treatment For Trichotillomania?

Brief Answer: Hair pulling or Trichotillomania can be treated with medicines Detailed Answer: Hello thanks for asking from HCM Hair Pulling is a compulsive disorder and is called as Trichotillomania. The disorder belongs to impulse control disorder and underlying anxiety in individual causes compulsive hair pulling. Commonly in management of this disorder first of all consultation of dermatologist is advised. Dermatologist helps rule out any dermatological cause behind the symptoms. In most cases dermatologist opinion finds nothing. Once dermatologist opinion is sought then Psychiatrist opinion is advised. In treatment of Trichotillomania anti anxiety drugs are given. Most common drug used is Fluoxetine. Fluoxetine helps to reduce abnormal undesired behaviour and improves symptoms of compulsive hair pulling. In most cases with such symptoms underlying unconscious anxiety is the reason behind compulsive hair pulling. Treatment of underlying symptoms results in correction of symptoms. Apart from medicines Behaviour Therapy and relaxation exercises have equal efficacy when compared to medicines. Visit a psychiatrist for treatment and prescription of drugs. The disorder can be controlled with medicines easily. Thanks, please ask again for more doubts.