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causes of trichotillomania
The hair pulling disorder of Trichotillomania is seen to have a combination of complex biological and behavioral causes. Trichotillomania is mainly attributed to an imbalance of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, mainly dopamine and serotonin. This imbalance has been found due to the success that anti-depressant medications, such as SSRI’s (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) have upon curing trichotillomania.
Biology of Trichotillomania
The imbalance of neurotransmitters explains why individuals use hair pulling as a form of self -soothing for the feelings of anxiety and depression that are caused by their imbalance of neurotransmitters. Once anti-depressants are administered and begin to take effect, the unwanted emotions that are encouraging the hair pulling begin to subside.
Behavioral Aspect of Trichotillomania
Trichotillomania is not solely caused by an imbalance of neurotransmitters.
Just like any other psychological disorder, behavioral aspects are part of the disorder as well. The onset of trichotillomania is seen to be caused by a traumatic or stressful life event, such as sexual abuse. The trauma accompanying trichotillomania cannot be cured by anti-depressant medication, so adjunctive therapy such as psychotherapy or hypnotherapy must be used.
Trichotillomania and Other Disorders
The complex causes of trichotillomania are common in that the majority of suffers most likely have a neurochemcial imbalance in their brain and have undergone stressful life events. Other individuals without trichotillomania that have similar biochemical make- ups and life experience will not specifically develop trichotillomania. Other disorders such as alcoholism or eating disorders are common outlets for individuals with similar backgrounds and brain chemistry to those with trichotillomania. Trichotillomania is similar to other psychological disorders in that a certain behavior (hair pulling in trichotillomania, drinking in alcoholics, binging and purging in bulimics) is used as a self-soothing behavior to medicate unwanted emotions.
Trichotillomania will often become more difficult to cure the longer an individual suffers from it due to the behavior patterns and habits that are formed from repeated hair pulling. It is very important trichotillomania sufferers seek treatment as soon as possible to increase the likelihood of successful recovery.