Home » Healthy Living

Children and Trichotillomania

Ranked #54,934 in Healthy Living, #620,537 overall

Trichotillomania in children usually begins to develop during adolescence. This disorder may be induced by some sort of stress or may be partly due to hormonal changes during the teenage years. While more women tend to suffer from Trichotillomania than men, it appears that both sexes are equally affected in early childhood. Trichotillomania may develop in children as young as 1 year old. Younger kids tend to pull the hair out as a soothing mechanism (like sucking the thumb) during sleeptime, rather than doing it as a way to combat anxiety or stress. Trichotillomania in children usually resolves with no treatment or medication on its own.

For help with trichotillomania Click Here!

Diagnosis of Trichotillomania

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, one's disorder must meet the following criteria in order to be considered Trichotillomania:

1. Must pull recurrently, with the result being noticeable hair loss.

2. Must feel a rising sense of tension immediately before pulling or when trying to suppress the behavior.

3. Must feel pleasure or gratification once hair is pulled.

4. The behavior must not be better accounted for by another mental disorder or caused by some medical condition.

5. The disturbance causes impairment in the person's daily life.

Helping Children With Trichotillomania

Possible ways to help a child with Trichotillomania

1.Keep their little hands busy. Give them silly putty or introduce them to bubble wrap to play with during idle times. What kid doesn't love finger painting?

2. For younger children, put gloves on their hands.

3. Alert family, friends, teachers of your child's condition. Instruct them to give the child an activity to occupy themselves, when pulling is noticed.

Check out this remedy for trichotillomania that may help you and your child!