Infantile Trichotillomania: What Is It?

People with trichotillomania feel the irresistible urge to pull hair and hair. The immediate physical consequences are notable and obvious. Some areas of the body, especially the head, remain free of hair or hair.

In children , trichotillomania can be a particularly annoying disorder. It is very helpful to learn to recognize it and how to treat it.

The causes of this disorder can be various: genetic or biological, but also emotional or psychological. First, it is important to distinguish between trichotillomania and other dermatological diseases. Alopecia, for example, also leads to the formation of hair-free areas in the patient’s body.

Clinical features in childhood

• It is estimated that in the infant population the cases of trichotillomania range from 0.6% to 6%, depending on the age.

• The greatest incidence occurs in children aged 2 to 6 years.
• The prognosis improves when the disorder appears at an earlier age.
• The most affected area is the head, especially the forehead and the parietal area. But in the case of children, the need to pluck their hair can also extend to the eyelashes, eyebrows and pubis.
• After plucking the hair, the child usually uses it to play. Others collect them to create small strands or balls. Still others put them in their mouths, or break them into tiny pieces. If the child is afraid of being punished, he simply tends to pick them up and then throw them away.
• Often the disorder is accompanied by ringworm: the desire to eat hair or hair. In addition to making the diagnosis worse, ringworm can also cause digestive problems. They are not to be underestimated, as they can range from nausea and vomiting to severe obstructions.

At what age does the

infantile trichotillomania

If it appears in early childhood, it usually sets off before age 2 or age 3-4. During this stage of development, the need for hair pulling can be a simple habit for the baby. Likewise, for example, he tends to suck his thumb. This is due to the fact that at this age the little ones are not aware of their compulsive needs.

Manifestation of trichotillomania

family nsion (parents in the process of separation, constant discussions …). But also when the child is relaxed, for example lying on the bed or sofa, bored and tired. It is therefore important to stimulate the child and prevent him from developing mechanisms that are harmful to his physical and mental health.

In adults, this disorder can occur as a result of a situation of excessive tension, anxiety or stress. Or according to the so-called “automatic” model (in 75% of cases) due to tiredness, boredom or prolonged periods of sedentary lifestyle.

According to the level of consciousness during the action, it is possible to distinguish two types of patient. There are patients who consciously but compulsively pull out hair and hair in response to negative emotions. Others, however, do it automatically, unconsciously, often during sedentary activities.

Causes

There is no single cause to explain this disorder. The triggering factors are many and depend on the individual subject. However, we can refer to a set of psychological, genetic, biological or environmental factors.

For example, it occurs if parents have suffered from the same disorder or due to the lack or excess of a specific neurotransmitter. Or simply as a consequence of external variables: family tensions, stress, depression, feelings of affective deprivation …

How to recognize trichotillomania in children

The most evident aspect is certainly the formation of areas without hair on the head. This leads the child to become isolated or to develop some complexes. If the disturbance continues, the affected areas could also be affected by injuries, with the risk of infections. It follows that parents need to recognize the disorder.

If the child tends to eat the torn hair, intestinal upset or stomach pain may also appear. Another symptom of trichotillomania is a tendency to pull or twist the hair. Often the child even denies doing it. Generally, these behaviors are preceded by an increase in tension in the child or by other behaviors of self-harm.

Treatment

In most cases, childhood trichotillomania resolves on its own before the child starts school. Despite this, parental support is always important. Their task is to make the child aware of the problem and help him to abandon harmful behaviors.

If the situation does not improve, it is possible to resort to drug or psychological treatment. In these cases, cognitive-behavioral therapies are especially useful. The goal is to get rid of the habit of pulling your hair. This occurs through the strengthening of alternative behaviors incompatible with the disorder, but more adaptive and adequate.