Prior to the release of the DSM-5 in 2013, Trichotillomania, also known as hair-pulling disorder, was classified as an impulse control disorder in DSM-IV-TR. This disorder involves the perennial pulling of one's hair from various parts of their body.. These behaviors are often done in privacy, are more common in adult females and often become prevalent on the onset of puberty. Many people with trichotillomania try to stop the picking but feel like they just can’t. The sense of being unable to avoid performing a particular behavior is very similar to the compulsions in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). While there are differences between trichotillomania and OCD, the DSM-5 moves the disorder to the same classification family of Obsessive-Compulsive
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Over 3.4% adults in the world suffer from this disorder. Although 3.4% of the world’s population may seem like a negligible percentage, it roughly embodies over 280 million people who have to live with TTM on a daily basis. Statistically, it has been estimated that 0.5-3 percent of people will experience trichotillomania at some point during life, which is a lot considering the lack of knowledge on this disorder. That statistics of this disorder are not as precise as they could be for the simple reason that many people who have the disorder do not seek professional help and are therefore not counted. Trichotillomania is extremely rare among babies and toddlers. The disorder slowly becomes common as one approaches adulthood. Research has shown that trichotillomania is most prevalent in adult …show more content…
Trichotillomania is diagnosed in children who have displayed a periodic behavior of hair pulling that is causing them serious distress. To meet the criteria for the disorder they must have made repeated attempts to decrease or stop the behavior. Before receiving a diagnosis children are often tested for scalp infections, alopecia, or spot baldness, and any other possible medical explanation before being diagnosed with TTM. Trichotillomania is more difficult to diagnose in very young children. Diagnose of trichotillomania often requires both a dermatological and psychiatric evaluation. In both adolescents and adults, a trichotillomania diagnosis may be further hampered by the person’s reluctance to disclose their hair pulling behavior. The most common age of onset is in preadolescents to young adults. On average, it is typically between 9 and 13 years, with a peak between 12 and 13 years. The onset of this disorder may be preceded or accompanied by various emotional states, such as feelings of anxiety or boredom. A stressful event such as abuse, family conflict, or death may also trigger
Over 3.4% adults in the world suffer from this disorder. Although 3.4% of the world’s population may seem like a negligible percentage, it roughly embodies over 280 million people who have to live with TTM on a daily basis. Statistically, it has been estimated that 0.5-3 percent of people will experience trichotillomania at some point during life, which is a lot considering the lack of knowledge on this disorder. That statistics of this disorder are not as precise as they could be for the simple reason that many people who have the disorder do not seek professional help and are therefore not counted. Trichotillomania is extremely rare among babies and toddlers. The disorder slowly becomes common as one approaches adulthood. Research has shown that trichotillomania is most prevalent in adult …show more content…
Trichotillomania is diagnosed in children who have displayed a periodic behavior of hair pulling that is causing them serious distress. To meet the criteria for the disorder they must have made repeated attempts to decrease or stop the behavior. Before receiving a diagnosis children are often tested for scalp infections, alopecia, or spot baldness, and any other possible medical explanation before being diagnosed with TTM. Trichotillomania is more difficult to diagnose in very young children. Diagnose of trichotillomania often requires both a dermatological and psychiatric evaluation. In both adolescents and adults, a trichotillomania diagnosis may be further hampered by the person’s reluctance to disclose their hair pulling behavior. The most common age of onset is in preadolescents to young adults. On average, it is typically between 9 and 13 years, with a peak between 12 and 13 years. The onset of this disorder may be preceded or accompanied by various emotional states, such as feelings of anxiety or boredom. A stressful event such as abuse, family conflict, or death may also trigger