Trichotillomania, the disease that prevents women from stopping to tear their hair – BBC News

Karina de Assis, a 23-year-old university student, has been tearing her hair since childhood.

In moments of anxiety or stress, the gesture of the young woman becomes more frequent

"At any time complicated when I'm alone, I take a part of my hair, I pull and I do not do not realize, when I see, I have a strand of hair in my hand "he told BBC Brazil

The young woman started to comb her hair in the morning. Nine years old

"I discovered that it gave me relief and that I stopped myself," she says. 16, the girl became bald.

Almost unknown causes

The uncontrolled act of pulling hair called trichotillomania .

Studies suggest that 0.6% to 3.6% of the world's population has this disease.

According to psychiatrist Caio Borba Casella, as well as Karina Many people develop trichotillomania when they go through emotional situations deemed difficult.

"These patients experience temporary relief of stress by dehairing their hair, although this may result in further damage," he explains. he, the causes of the disease are not completely known

However, some studies point slight changes in certain areas of the brain of people with trichotillomania.

"There is still no definitive explanation", However, Casella acknowledges

Many cases are related to other psychiatric images such as l & rsquo; Anxiety, the excoriating disorder – when the person scratches the skin until the discovery of the meat – or that it presents an obsessive-compulsive disorder. (OCD).

"But some people can only suffer from trichotillomania," says the psychiatrist.

More women

Women are the most affected by the disease. Studies indicate that 75% to 90% of patients with trichotillomania are women.

"We do not know the reasons for this difference between men and women, they are the ones who seek the most treatment, because they tend to be more uncomfortable with the lack of hair" says Casella.

Trichotillomania manifests itself in two forms : : automatic, when the person notices the behavior only to see the hair torn off; or concentrates, when the hair is intentionally depilated, for example to reduce stress and anxiety, or for pure pleasure.

It is common for patients to present both variants

. The disease can be treated by means of a [ psychological or psychiatric support .

In many cases, using medications, such as antidepressants, is also necessary.

"They say I'm crazy"

At the age of 12, Karina saw her mother

He took her to a doctor and was diagnosed with trichotillomania .

"I took medication for controlling my anxiety ] and it helped me," he says.

"But I stopped the treatment (For lack of money) and lost all control of the disease, I pulled my hair back as before, "he reveals.

The student's hair disappeared until he [1945900] 4] became bald

The lack of hair impairs the self-esteem of the young woman who has difficulty making friends or leaving home. I just got more isolated, "he laments.

When he goes out, he hears several comments in the street.

" They always ask me what I have. "When I say what is the real motive, or say I am crazy ," says the young woman, who lives in the south from Brazil.

Dermatologist Erica, Pampado Di Santis, believes that if the patient has the chance to stop pulling the locks, chances are that the hair will grow back normally.

"But in some cases, there may be alterations of the follicles mainly when the mania leaves scars, which eventually hinder the possibility he warns.

Difficulties

The dream to find her lost hair is also part of the life of Pollyane Nery Santos, 26.

Eight years ago, after having undergone formaldehyde straightening your hair

In addition to affecting self-esteem and possible health problems, the young woman tells that the lack of hair by

Four years ago that did not find a job.

Disguising Disease

The cases of women who reach the most extreme level of latricotilomania and become bald are considered atypical.

Commonly, the disease leaves some areas discovered on the scalp or other parts of the body.

Eva Pacheco, a 21-year-old college student, has short hair since adolescence, because of trichotillomania.

The student believes that the disease has not left her bald because she is taking steps to prevent the behavior from reaching at the most extreme level.

"The shorter the hair, I can start less.Every time I notice that I've started a lot, I'm sorry and I'm pbading the machine (shaving)," explains.

Three years ago, the girl started taking antidepressants.

"The remedy helps with the treatment of trichotillomania, but I still tear my hair," he says.

The situation worsens when she goes through moments of stress or anxiety .

"Lately, I pulled my hair a lot, because I'm unemployed and I spend a lot of time alone," says the girl.

Eva says that for such moments, the support of family and friends is fundamental.

Fighting in childhood

According to Caio Borba Casella, trichotillomania generally occurs from age 10 .

But it can also develop in young girls.

Vanessa * 's daughter, 23, removes her hair from six months of life. A doctor said the baby was suffering from anxiety.

"In babies, it can simply be a tactile exploration behavior, and it disappears with growth," Casella says.

"But in other more serious cases, this can be really a trichotilloman image and there is an important genetic component ," he says.

Vanessa discovered on Facebook that many parents had taped their children's fingers (an alternative that also uses adults with trichotillomania).

"Many times, the habit of plucking hair poses a sensory problem – to feel the hair between the fingers," says Casella.

Vanessa states that after applying the technique, the amount of hair that the girl, now 3 years old, starts daily, was halved.

The band The band does not cause however positive results in all the

Márcia * tried to apply this method to his daughter three years, but "the plaster caught her attention and left her very irritated," she says.

Casella recommends that parents seek treatment from their children [19659004] "It is fundamental in these cases to give priority to cognitive-behavioral therapy of reversal of habits." Parents should avoid drugs , mainly in children under six, "he says.

Esperanza

Experts consulted by BBC Brazil claim that it is possible to alleviate or cure trichotillomania by appropriate methods

Three months ago, Pollyane Nery resumed treatment for trichotillomania.

She takes four anxiolytics a day.

"I know that it is .] A disease that I will have to control all my life and relapses, but I want to emphasize this moment because I am very happy with my progress", she says.

The young woman wants to do her hair for years "I think it's only so that I can return to a normal life," he says.

* The BBC Brazil amended some om bres to preserve as the identities of the minors mentioned in the article.

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