Trichotillomania - hair pulling disorder
@thetrichprof is Professor Clare Mackay, who has had trichotillomania since she was 12 years old. @thetrichprof is investigating mechanisms and developing interventions for body-focused repetitive behaviours, a well as raising awareness and reducing stigma associated with these disorders.
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Trichotillomania, or hair-pulling disorder, is an example of a body focused repetitive behaving (alongside skin-picking and nail-biting). Most people engage in some pulling/picking/biting as part of normal grooming behaviour, but some people experience uncontrollable urges to persist to a destructive extent. These disorders are under-recognised, and underestimated in terms of distress and functional impairment. Individuals can spend decades of their lives blighted by behaviours they cannot control, and for which there is little/no understanding or support available. As such, these are some of the most highly stigmatised of all mental health conditions. More research is needed to understand the mechanisms and develop interventions for BFRBs. A perspective article can be found here https://mentalhealth.bmj.com/content/26/1/e300795.full @thetrichprof has written about her lived experience with trichotillomania, alongside some of the key facts and figures You can Listen to a recent interview on BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour (from 27 minutes) Follow @thetrichprof on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram For those seeking information and support for pulling/picking/biting disorders (either for yourself or a loved one), BFRB UK & Ireland is a good resource. There are also a number of good Facebook support groups (including BFRB UK&I) where you can stay anonymous if you prefer. |
 © Clare Mackay |