Trichotillomania

Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Trichotillomania is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

Synonyms

Hair-Pulling Syndrome

Disorder Subdivisions

None

General Discussion

Trichotillomania is an impulse control disorder characterized by an overwhelming urge to pull out one's own hair, often resulting in patches of baldness. The hair on the scalp is most often affected. The eyelashes, eyebrows, and beard are also affected often. In some cases, affected individuals chew and/or swallow (ingest) the hair they have pulled out (trichophagy). The exact cause of trichotillomania is unknown.
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Resources

Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation, Inc.
PO Box 9573
New Haven, CT 06535
Tel: (203)401-2070
Fax: (203)401-2076
Email: info@ocfoundation.org
Internet: http://www.ocfoundation.org

Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health
1101 King Street
Suite 420
Alexandria, VA 22314
USA
Tel: 7036847710
Fax: 7038361040
Email: ffcmh@ffcmh.org
Internet: http://www.ffcmh.org

National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse
1211 Chestnut Street
Suite 1207
Philadelphia, PA 19107-6312
USA
Tel: 2127511810
Fax: 2156366312
Tel: 8005534539
Email: info@mhselfhelp.org
Internet: http://www.mhselfhelp.org

National Mental Health Association
2001 North Beauregard Street
12th Floor
Alexandria, VA 22311
USA
Tel: 7036847722
Fax: 7036845968
Tel: 8009696642
TDD: 8004335959
Email: infoctr@nmha.org
Internet: http://www.nmha.org

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
Colonial Place Three
2107 Wilson Blvd.
Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22201-3042
ISA
Tel: 7035247600
Fax: 7035249094
Tel: 8009996264
TDD: 7035167227
Email: membership@nami.org
Internet: http://www.nami.org

NIH/National Institute of Mental Health
6001 Executive Blvd
Rm 8184, MSC 9663
Rockville, MD 20892-9663
Tel: (301)443-4513
Email: nimhinfo@nih.gov
Internet: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/

Trichotillomania Learning Center
303 Potrero St
Suite 51
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
USA
Tel: 8314571004
Fax: 8314264383
Email: info@trich.org
Internet: http://www.trich.org/home/default.asp

Locks of Love
2925 10th Ave North
Suite 102
Lake Worth, FL 33461
Tel: (561)963-1677
Fax: (561)963-9914
Tel: (888)896-1588
TDD: (561)963-1677
Email: info@locksoflove.org
Internet: http://www.locksoflove.org

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.
It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.
For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org
Last Updated: 5/30/2001
Copyright 1990, 1995, 2001 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

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