Trichotillomania is a psychiatric disorder that leads to compulsively plucking
hair or other body hair, causing glabrous patches and psychological distress. The term was coined
in 1889 by dermatologist François Henri Hallopeau and is now classified in the DSM-5 among
obsessive-compulsive disorders.
According to Dr. Irene Monicelli, a neuropsychologist and psychotherapist at the
Medical Diagnostic Center (Ce.Me.Di) in Turin, Italy, it affects about 3.5-4% of women and 1.5-2%
of men, with onset prevalent in adolescence or young adulthood, often in
response to emotional stress. “Tearing” (pulling) temporarily relieves distress, but
creates a vicious cycle that can worsen to alopecia.
The disorder may occur intermittently or constantly, with a tendency to worsen
over time. Some individuals develop specific patterns, such as pulling out more hair
on one side and then compensating on the other.
Although it may initially seem like a harmless habit, trichotillomania can lead
to social isolation, low self-esteem and relationship difficulties, necessitating a
targeted therapeutic intervention.
