Health · Mental Health · 1 day ago
Repeated hair-pulling can be a treatable condition called trichotillomania
Trichotillomania is repeated hair-pulling that can cause noticeable hair loss.
Rithika Krishnan, a clinical psychologist at Sir H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital, says the urge may build with tension and bring brief relief after the hair is pulled.
Some people pull without much awareness while reading or watching television, while others do it deliberately in response to feelings such as fear, anger or loneliness.
Clinicians look for repeated pulling, unsuccessful attempts to stop, and distress or problems at work, school or in social life.
They also check that the symptoms are not caused by a skin condition.
The condition is treatable, and habit reversal training is one treatment.
Repeated hair-pulling that causes hair loss, is hard to stop, or disrupts daily life may be trichotillomania.
Clinical psychologist Rithika Krishnan of Sir H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital says the condition is more than a habit people can simply stop.
Hair-pulling may happen with little awareness during quiet activities or deliberately in response to emotions such as fear, frustration, anger, or loneliness.
Clinicians assess hair loss, unsuccessful attempts to stop, distress or disruption, and whether another skin condition explains the symptoms.
Trichotillomania is treatable, and habit reversal training is used to treat it.
- Who
- People who repeatedly pull out their hair; clinical psychologist Rithika Krishnan explains the condition.
- What
- Repeated hair-pulling may be trichotillomania, which can cause hair loss and distress. Habit reversal training is used to treat it.
- When
- Not stated
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- Pulling may be linked to tension, boredom, or emotions such as fear, frustration, anger, or loneliness.
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- Expert
- Rithika Krishnan
- Workplace
- Sir H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital
- Assessment
- Recurrent pulling that results in noticeable hair loss
- Treatment
- Habit reversal training
- Article date
- 2026-10-11
What people are saying
Trichotillomania refers to the recurrent pulling out of one's hair.
It can sometimes result in noticeable hair loss.
These individuals experience pleasure, gratification, or relief when pulling out the hair.
Sources
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