Definition

Noun: * A psychological disorder characterized by the recurrent, irresistible urge to pull out one's own hair, resulting in noticeable hair loss. This condition is classified as an impulse control disorder.

Usage

• The term is used in clinical, psychological, and medical contexts to formally name the condition.
• It describes both the disorder itself and the specific compulsion or behavior.
• Example: "Her trichotillomania began in adolescence, often triggered by periods of stress."

Examples

• "The dermatologist referred the patient to a psychologist after identifying the bald patches as a result of trichotillomania."
• "A key symptom of trichotillomania is the feeling of tension immediately before pulling the hair or when trying to resist the urge."
• "Support groups can be beneficial for individuals managing trichotillomania."

Advanced Usage

• The behavior is sometimes referred to as hair-pulling disorder, which is its diagnostic name in some medical manuals.
• It is often discussed in relation to Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs), a group of disorders that include similar conditions like dermatillomania (skin-picking).

Variants and Related Words

• Trichotillomaniac (noun, dated/clinical): A person who has trichotillomania. (Note: This term is less commonly used in modern person-first language, which prefers phrases like "a person with trichotillomania".)

Synonyms

• Hair-pulling disorder (clinical synonym)
• Compulsive hair pulling (descriptive phrase)

Different Meanings

• This word has a single, specific clinical meaning and is not used in other general contexts.

Noun

1. an irresistible urge to pull out your own hair