Gene Found At The Root of Hair-Pulling Disorder

Scientists at Duke University Medical Center have found evidence that trichotillomania, a psychiatric disorder that causes people to compulsively pull their hair, has a basis in genetics.

Trichotillomania is an impulse control disorder that affects 3 to 5 percent of the population. It is often accompanied by other psychiatric conditions such as anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder and Tourette syndrome.

2 Mutations linked to trichotillomaia, scientist say.

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• trichtillomania
• trich
• hair
• pulling
• puller

[soon2bfit]

although I feel that this condition is in my bloodline, I still don't think or accept the term that it's "uncontrollable."

[BellyFireDancer]

I AGREE!Okay,(my *opinion*),I believe that even though that we may have genetic predispositions, we still have lifestyle factors that we can ALTER/IMPLEMENT/DEPLOY for the better to CIRCUMVENT/NEGATE undersirable outcomes.For example, if someone has a family medical hisotry of cardiac problems, chances are that person would have cardiac issues too.But, measures can be made to AVOID it.Same with trich. There are those of trich who ARE able to BREAK & find REPRIEVE from pulling for periods of time

[soon2bfit]

I actually never thought of it from your POV, but I definately agree. I thought of it more from a perspective that we have voluntary and involuntary muscle control. I can't control the beating of my heart yet I can control the movements of my body. Trich is not like having Parkinsons or any other degenerative disease where a person can't control themselves physically. If an external stimulus (a gun placed to your head and being told to stop pulling) is strong enough, no doubt, we all could stop.

[BellyFireDancer]

CHEERS!Absolutely!Okay, if a Grooming Gene Mutation is a possible culprit,so far I had been able to break a very intense & vicious pulling cycle via: shaving, prayer, diet(vitamins/Inositol),exerci­se,intentional StressManagement,disrupt negative thought patterns for positive ones,cognitive behavioral therapy(prevent behavior leading up to pulling).I'm not on top of it all times but they are all examples of LIFESTYLE factors we CAN all be in CONTROL of DESPITE unique root causes, *EVEN* genetics

[BellyFireDancer]

About Genetics,I am VERY FOND of supporting my statement that trichotillomania is not a manifestation of sanity compromise.There are so many BULLIES that FEED on the heart ache of pullers by SOCIALLY profiting from:lies/gossip/slander by saying "crazy people pull hair."That kind of "MALADAPTIVE" behavior is VERY HURTFUL&MALIGNING!I find it SO *CRUDE* when GROWN ADULTS(simpletons)make such broad accusatory statments about hair pullers being insane. SCIENTIFIC FACT: GENETICS PROOVE OTHERWISE!

[blackberrybunny]

Not all of us pull from our scalp. I for one, do not.

[LadyGaGafan676767]

@losrockets4 it's not that easy for me. I guess I have it worse then :'(

[LadyGaGafan676767]

@lilganstabunnyfofo89 I just have that problem with my head and eyebrows but I dnt pull out my eyebrows only my hair on my head

[LadyGaGafan676767]

I have the tricotelemania. Sorry dunno how to spell it. I'm 13. Theres this thing called Apofluoxitine or something like that, It's a prescription medication. It kind of works but not really well. I probably just have to wait

[lovemee223]

:,( im doing it right now.........

[losrockets4]

i atopped now a long time ago it was just a bad habbit

[Vinya]

you need to see a doctor...therapy has bad connotations because it makes you think you're insane and need to be put in an institution....thats not the case. Therapy is one of the best things you can do to circumvent the disorder...hopefully it hasn't but eventually it might catch up with you. good luck.

also, compulsive nail biting is linked with trichotillomania, f.y.i....

[AnimeGirlsSanctuary]

im kind scared because i do that alot. i took out all my eybrows. plucked my eyelashes from my right eye. mess with the hair under my arms (but i shave too) and pubes. when i was in elementary i had a huge ballspot plus it looked like a had holes in my eyebrows. -_- does thatt sound like what she just said...and im 14

[AtleticoReggaeton]

It takes somebody with no maturity or sense to resort to attempting irony without any understanding of the facts.

[brokenairguitar94]

and yes, i so agree with you. there definitely are SO many bullies out there. i've been called everything from "baldy" to "disgusting" for this. they indeed are so crude. i've learned that the key for me is to not let it win, and to concentrate. not to let it subconsciencely take you over. even that doesn't completely help all the time, though.