Hirsutism and Trichotillomania
What Exactly is Hirsutism?
Hirsutism is a medical condition that usually occurs in women, children, and in some cases, in men. While it more often occurs in people with origins from the Mediterranean, Middle-East, Africa, and Hispanic regions; it can impact anyone, from anywhere, at any point in their lifetime.
Hirsutism presents as excess hair growth in regions such as the face, neck, chest, thighs, back, and neck. Also, the hair that is growing has a tendency to appear thicker, darker, and coarser.
The most common causes of Hirsutism are related to hormones in a person’s body. Specifically, these are androgen hormones, one well-known example of such is Testosterone. Where the levels of hormones in a person’s body are not correctly balanced, this can result in Hirsutism. Specifically, in the case of PCOS, where there is usually too much Testosterone present, this can cause excess hair growth, along with acne, weight gain, irregular periods and a couple of other side effects.
Other causes of Hirsutism, although considerably rarer, may include:
- Cushing’s Syndrome
- Ovarian Tumors
- Specific Medications, such as Prozac and Corticosteroids
- Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
While there are some medications used for the treatment of Hirsutism, the most typical approach adopted by people who suffer from the condition is to deal with the issue of excess hair themselves or to seek out qualified help with a more permanent form of hair removal.
Temporary Fixes for Hirsutism – These include at-home hair removal techniques, such as waxing, shaving, tweezing, bleaching, and using depilatory creams. Using any one of these techniques will only deliver short term results, but the process can be done from the comfort of your own home, and it is low-cost.
Permanent Fixes for Hirsutism – These include IPL, Laser Therapy, and Electrolysis treatment options. All of these options cost more, as a qualified professional is required to carry the procedure out over the course of sessions. However, the results are long-lasting, and in many cases, the removal of the excess hair is highly-effective. Click here to Learn More
What Exactly is Trichotillomania?
Trichotillomania is also known medically as a stress condition that results in a person having uncontrollable urges to pull out their hair. In some cases, this can be from the eyebrows, the eyelashes, the scalp, and other parts of the body.
Trichotillomania is sometimes also called ‘The Hair Pulling Disorder’, and it is recognized as a form of OCD. In so many cases, people who develop this condition will never seek out assistance or help, and they will try to keep their illness a secret from those around them.
Medical professionals will typically diagnose Trichotillomania when a person repeatably plucks or pulls out the hair from their body. In most cases, this will occur in the form of people pulling out the hair from their scalp, but it is important to know the fact that this condition can impact hair from areas of the body.
The long-term effects of Trichotillomania can result in skin irritation and bald spots on a person; and once these become apparent, it can then also have a detrimental effect on a person’s desire to socialize and be seen in public. It can impact relationships, and if left unchecked, it can impact a person’s physical and mental wellbeing.
How Does it Feel to Have Trichotillomania?
While each person will experience something a little bit different from the next, there is a range of typical signs and symptoms of Trichotillomania that present.
- A person will repeatedly pull or pluck their hair which can result in a noticeable loss of hair.
- A person will start to feel a rising sense of tension right before they pull or pluck out their hair or when they feel the urge to do so and are going through the resistance phases.
- A person will then feel a sense of gratification and pleasure or relief when they are pulling out their hair.
Interestingly, just like with other addictions, people who have Trichotillomania have a compelling desire to quit, and for many, they will have already tried to have done this time and time again. People with “The Hair Pulling Disorder” will often feel instant regret after they pull out their hair, and they will often go to great lengths in order to keep their habit a secret from others.
Some people with Trichotillomania have reported cutting their hair short so that people will not notice their hair loss; they will wear hats and scarves in order to hide their head of hair as well. The pattern of hair pulling will usually follow peaks and troughs or a cyclical routine. They pull out their hair in order to relieve themselves of stress in their lives and to reduce their levels of anxiety. The very act of pulling out their hair will instantly calm the person down, but it will only have this effect on a very temporary basis.
When they see the damage afterward, it can cause the levels of anxiety to become elevated again, as they witness the damage, bald spots, irritation and their appearance impacted by their actions. It is essentially a self-harming disorder that is medically classified in the same arena as OCD.
Because of this, in almost all cases, therapy and/or medical intervention is required to help a person overcome their issues.
Who Is Affected by Trichotillomania?
If statistics are being used, then it is stated that in many cases of Trichotillomania, this will first present when a child is between the ages of 9-14. It mostly affects people who pull hair from their scalp, then the eyelashes, followed by the eyebrows, and finally, pulling hair from the pubic region and/or the legs.
Trichotillomania is likely to have a tendency to run in families as there is a genetic element to the condition. In adolescents, Trichotillomania presents equally in boys and girls. However, in later years, it is more likely to affect females as opposed to males.
If you or a loved one are affected by Trichotillomania, schedule an appointment with your doctor or medical professional, as they can help you and together you can find treatment options to get better.
