Trichotillomania is a terrible name for a common disorder: compulsive hair pulling. "Trich" means "hair." Trichotillomania has nothing to do with mania and thus is a misnomer. Trichotillomania is a Body Focused Repetitive Disorder (BFRB) along with Dermatillomania (Compulsive Skin-Picking).

 

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Why is Trichotillomania a significant problem?

This is a difficult long-term neurobiological disorder, which often starts at puberty, just as children are becoming self-conscious about their appearance.  "Trich" frequently leads to low self-esteem, isolation, and depression.