Trichotillomania
Before you read the webpage please read the following notes:
NOTE 1 – We are giving you an overview of this condition in a question and answer format so you have some information for when you talk to a health professional. We have not discussed how to diagnose this condition, the types of treatment available for this condition and how you as the parent can help your child. We will leave that for a professional to discuss with you when a healthcare plan or special educational needs plan is being written for your child once they have been diagnosed.
NOTE 2 – Children can suffer from more than one condition at any one time. This is known as comorbid.
NOTE 3 – The exact cause of many of the conditions we have written about is unknown. Research is continuing. There can often be a genetic component which when inherited can make an individual prone to the condition. There are also other factors which can play a part in the development of the condition and can trigger it. We have detailed these factors in each write up.
NOTE 4 – Education for children with special education needs and disabilities is written elsewhere on this website. Please click the link below to access it.
WHAT IS TRICHOTILLOMANIA?
A child who suffers from trichotillomania has urges to pull hair out from parts of their body such as their scalp, eyebrows, genitals, arms, legs or eyelashes. Children with this condition may try to hide and disguise the loss of hair. It is a long term mental health chronic disorder.
Trichotillomania is also referred to as trich or TTM.
Children with trichotillomania are regarded as children with special educational needs.
Both boys and girls are equally affected by trichotillomania.
LINK TO NHS WEBSITE FOR TRICHOTILLOMANIA (HAIR PULLING DISORDER).
For many children hair pulling is a way of dealing with stress, loneliness, anxiety, trauma and negative feelings. At the same time pulling the hair out can give them a cascade of positive feelings.
WHAT SYMPTOMS DOES A CHILD WITH TRICHOTILLOMANIA DISPLAY?
Some of the symptoms a child with trichotillomania may show are:
- Repeated hair pulling
- Feeling stressed prior to pulling hair out
- Feeling happy or relieved once the hair has been pulled out.
- Patchy bald spots on the scalp
- Eyes devoid of eyelashes
- Eating the hair that’s been pulled out. If this is nor resolved it can lead to a matted hairball in the digestive tract.
Children who suffer from trichotillomania may also bite their nails, pick at their skin and bite their lips.
ARE CHILDREN WHO HAVE TRICHOTILLOMANIA BORN WITH IT OR IS IT ACQUIRED?
The exact cause of trichotillomania is unknown however, scientists believe there is a genetic link so it can be an inherited mental health condition.
Stress tends to increase the risk of a child getting trichotillomania.
WHEN DO MOST CHILDREN FIRST DISPLAY THE SIGNS OF TRICHOTILLOMANIA?
Most children will show the signs of trichotillomania between the ages of 10 years and 13 years of age.
WHAT IS BABY TRICH?
Children under 5 years can develop a mild form of the condition. It is generally accepted that a child under 5 years will do this to soothe themselves when they are stressed. This often goes away by itself.
CAN TRICHOTILLOMANIA GO AWAY, BE CURED OR PREVENTED?
Trichotillomania, once diagnosed, can be managed and controlled with treatment. It cannot be cured. It cannot also be prevented.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF TRICHOTILLOMANIA?
There are 2 different types of trichotillomania:
1. Automatic trichotillomania – A child with this type of trichotillomania does not realise they are pulling their hair out.
2. Focused trichotillomania – A child with this type of trichotillomania pulls their hair out intentionally because it gives them a good feeling.
WHO DO YOUR CONTACT FOR HELP IF YOU FEEL YOUR CHILD HAS TRICHOTILLOMANIA?
Contact your GP immediately – Your GP will arrange for your child to be assessed for trichotillomania. Your GP will then arrange for your child to have the correct support, medication, therapy and treatment to manage and control the condition. They will also inform you of any lifestyle changes you may need to make and refer you for further help if you need it.
Contact the school SEN department – The SEN department (special educational needs) at school will take your concerns seriously and help you. Please read the next section below.
IS TRICHOTILLOMANIA CONSIDERED A SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEED (SEN)?
A child suffering from trichotillomania can be considered as one with special educational needs (SEN) if the issues the child is suffering from make education and learning much more difficult than other children of the same age.
Talk to the SEN department at your child’s school. There will be a special teacher there called a SENCO (special SEN coordinator) who looks after the welfare of all SEN children at the school and they will be able to advise you further.
WHERE CAN YOU AS A PARENT TALK, GET HELP AND ADVICE?
You can contact NSPCC – If your child has trichotillomania you can contact the NSPCC and speak to them about your concerns. If the child is in danger they will call the police.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR NSPCC – CONTACT US
You can contact FAMILY LIVES – Family lives was previously known as parentline. You can speak to them about your concerns that your child has trichotillomania.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR FAMILY LIVES – CONTACT US
You can contact SUPPORTLINE – Supportline can provide confidential emotional support over the phone about your concerns if your child has trichotillomania. Their helpline number is 01708 765 200. You can also email them.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR SUPPORTLINE – CONTACT US
You can contact your local authority child services – You can call them directly or look on their website to see if there are any local support groups where you can get support.
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE TO FIND YOUR LOCAL AUTHORITY
You can contact other organisations –
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE 16 – CONNECT WITH CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS THAT COULD HELP YOU.
WHERE CAN YOUR CHILD TALK, GET HELP AND ADVICE?
Your child can contact CHILDLINE – If your child has trichotillomania and they need to talk to someone, they can call childline.