Hair Pulling Disorder
It is a chronic disorder characterized by repetitive uncontrolled hair pulling, leading to variable hair loss that maybe visible to others. It is similar to OCD and impulse control in which there is increased tension prior to hair pulling and a sense of tension relief or gratification after the hair pulling.
Its of two types:
• Focused pulling – the use of an intentional act to control unpleasant personal feelings or emotions like an urge, a thought, an itch or burn.
• Automatic pulling – Unconscious, unaware and spontaneous pulling. Mostly while doing sedentary activities.
Most patients have both types of hair pulling
Treatment
Includes medicines and insight oriented psychotherapy and behavior therapies like habit reversal, biofeedback, desensitization, self-monitoring.