Trichotillomania Archives - North Mississippi Hair Loss Solutions Tupelo MS

Help for Trichotillomania

in Trichotillomania, Womens Wigs/by Roger Parker

Help for Trichotillomania Suffers

One of the most common forms of hair loss is called Trichotillomania. Trich is defined as a condition that makes the individual feel the need to pull out their own hair, mostly in large chunks. There are around 4,000,000 people nationwide who struggle with it. Studies have shown that trich can begin as early as 9, ages 12-13 being the most prominent group to suffer with this, and ongoing through adulthood. Luckily, pre-teens can often outgrow trichotillomania, but sadly, adults usually require some professional therapy and counseling. There are more consequences to trichotillomania than just permanent hair loss. Continually pulling your hair out can also lead to infection and even gastrointestinal issues if swallowed. Being inactive while reading, being on the computer, watching television or movies, or even talking on the phone are the most likely times for someone with trich to pull on their hair.

We can obviously see the physical repercussions that this condition can cause. Those can often be disguised with scarves, hats, or even wigs. But something many people forget are the emotional and social repercussions something like this can cause. In many cases it can cause withdraw from family, friends, and coworkers. Trich can lead to low self-esteem, anxiety, and even depression. If it leads to this, seeking a professional is the only way to truly help. They can help provide coping skills necessary to deal with stress or whatever causes the individual to feel the need to pull out their hair, and ultimately destroy the habit. Medications can also be prescribed to help and would help lessen the stress.

Therapy can help bring whoever suffers from trichotillomania back to who they were, but when it comes to the hair they lost, that’s permanent. But our hair loss professionals can help with that. We can get a customized natural looking wig that can definitely help their self-confidence return. Essentially there are two kinds of wigs out there. There is the cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all wig that you buy right off the shelf. Or you can have a wig customized to your head and hair that is made of 100% natural human hair. We obviously recommend the customized wig, because we always believe you deserve the best, so we want to give you the best.

So instead of the synthetic hair treated with harsh chemicals in the off-the-shelf wigs, human hair wigs are made with hair donated by people mainly in 4 countries. Research has shown that European hair tends to be more natural looking in wigs. This hair is donated in ponytails leaving all the cuticles going the same way, so when made into the wig, the directions are all the same looking as natural and real as possible. With the natural hair, it allows you to curl it, blow dry it, style it, whatever you want!

Like we said earlier, at North Mississippi Hair Loss Solutions, we only want the best for you, so we do recommend high quality women’s wigs. And above all, we are ready to work with you to help you look and feel your absolute best. Please contact us HERE and set up a free consultation so we can start discussing next steps and what the future holds!

What is Trichotillomania?

in Trichotillomania/by Roger Parker

Some of the most common bodily reactions to stress are teeth grinding or a sleepless night, but the most fascinating reaction is a hair loss disease called trichotillomania. People suffering from this disorder will literally pull their own hair out as a way to temporarily relieve stress. It sounds painful to others but to them it’s comforting. What causes trichotillomania and can someone be cured of it?

A person suffering from Trichotillomania (TTM) will not be able to control the desire to pull their hair out. How do you know if you have this disorder? First, your hair loss will become noticeable. Secondly, you will feel intense anxiety before the act or when you try not to pull it out. Lastly, a sense of relief will overcome you after you’ve pulled out your hair. If no other disorder has been diagnosed and your hair pulling becomes disruptive to your daily routine you are suffering from trichotillomania.

No one cause of TTM has been determined but it typically falls into the category of an Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and it has been directly related to all types of stress. The most extreme complications of TTM are agoraphobia or the sufferer may take it to the next level and consume the hair they pull out. If they feel too much stress or shame about their condition they may stop leaving the house. When someone eats hair it can cause blockages in their digestive system and it can become a matter of life or death if they don’t have the hair surgically removed.

There isn’t an actual cure for TTM but those who seek treatment or therapy may be successful in overcoming the disorder. Medications like Prozac and other antidepressants have helped some patients reduce their stress levels and ultimately reduce the urge to pull hair. Cognitive Behavior Therapy is a technique that retrains the brain to avoid using hair pulling as coping mechanism. Hypnotism and other therapies have also worked for some patients. Other sufferers have found solace in support groups where they feel safe and can openly talk about their disorder.

Trichotillomania usually strikes during adolescence, but symptoms can occur at anytime in both men and women. It is more likely that a woman will suffer from TTM later in life while men typically show signs in early childhood and not as they get older.

Hair Loss Help in Tupelo

The important thing to remember is trichotillomania is a real disorder that can be treated and if you suffer from TTM do not be ashamed to ask for help. At North Mississippi Hair Loss Solutions in Tupelo, we help people suffering with Trichotillomania find a hair replacement solution that is right for them.

If you are looking to add volume to your hair or a full hair replacement system, we can accommodate your every need. To schedule a free visit here at North Mississippi Hair Loss Solutions, click here.

Trichotillomania hair loss wigs pieces tupelo oxford mississippi

Trichotillomania Treatment Options

in Trichotillomania, Womens Wigs/by Roger Parker

The hair pulling disorder known as trichotillomania is an impulse control disorder that causes someone to have an urge for to pull on their hair, often pulling strands of hair out. While this disorder does affect both men and women, typically this disorder affects women more and it often starts in childhood. Those who are afflicted with trichotillomania pull their hair primarily from their scalp, but sometimes from other places as well, like the eyebrows, eyelashes, or arms.

Causes of Disorder

One of the common causes of this hair pulling disorder is family history. Often the disorder is passed down through the generations in a family. Age can also be a factor, as the disorder begins to make itself present around the age of 10 to 13. Other OCD related disorders can contribute to trichotillomania. Often triggers of this disorder include anxiety and stress.

Symptoms

When someone has trichotillomania, they will often pull their hair out of their scalp. Typically they pull just one hair at a time, with each episode lasting for hours. This amount of hair pulling causes unusual patterns of hair loss. Sometimes those with trichotillomania will try and hide their disorder out of embarrassment. As you could imagine, this behavior can lead to low self-esteem and fear of socializing. If you are a suffer from this disorder you need to know that you are not alone and there are steps that you can take to control it.

Treatment for Trichotillomania

Even through trichotillomania can be a lifelong disorder, there are steps that can be taken to lessen the behavior. Habit reversal training can be an affective treatment and it can help control the impulses for hair pulling. This strategy can be especially effective for children whose habits are not fully developed.

Many individuals that suffer from this disorder are in need of immediate solutions for their hair loss while they seek long-term habit changes. Some of the most common treatments for hair loss that is caused by hair pulling includes wigs, hair replacement as well as other non-surgical procedures. These treatments often can help suffers of trichotillomania find their self confidence again by them feeling confident about their appearance.

Taking Control of Trichotillomania

At North Mississippi Hair Loss Solutions, we offer a variety of stunningly beautiful human hair wigs and women’s hair replacement options for women with thinning hair and hair loss. Fall in love with your hair again and say goodbye to hair loss anxiety once and for all. Call (662) 842-1222 today.