Chapter 1. Trichotillomania: Pulling Out Ones Hair

Short Description

Liz suffers from trichotillomania. She cannot resist the urge to pull out her hair. In the opening scene of this video, Liz describes how she pulls out a single hair, eats the root, and throws the rest away. Although the bizarre act has a temporarily calming effect, Liz knows it is self-destructive.

Long Description

Aside from the urge to pull her hair, Liz seems like an average woman. She began pulling her hair at age 12 and is embarrassed by her bald patch. Fortunately, most people do not notice. At the same time, she worries that in any intimate relationship her patch and her trichotillomania will quickly become known. Research findings at the University of Utah suggest a possible cause for the disorder. Certain laboratory mice will over-groom themselves, resulting in the removal of their hair. Their unusual behavior is the result of a single altered gene. Researchers are now investigating whether the same defective gene may produce hair-pulling behavior in humans. If this proves true, researchers could begin a search for medications to treat the disorder. This line of research is also important because it may indicate that faulty genes underlie more common compulsive conditions. Meanwhile, Liz is exploring alternative treatments for her self-destructive behavior. She has had a hairpiece glued to the top of her head with the hope that it might stop her cycle of hair-pulling behavior. Three months after the wig is fitted, examination of the bald patch shows significant new hair growth. The hairpiece is replaced and will be worn for another six months. Most importantly, Liz reports that her urge to pull her hair has lessened.

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