We have often used the phrase d‘I felt like pulling out my hair’ whenever we are stuck in a frustrating situation, but a celeb’s recent confession has shown that the phrase can get very real for a few.American actress Olivia Munn recently revealed that she has trichotillomania, a condition known as the hair-pulling disorder. She said that she developed the condition at a time when she was dating Chris Pine and she had a run-in with the papparazzi. Explaining the painful disorder, she added that she feels a compulsive need to pull the hair on top of her head, or even an eyelash. The action is followed by feeling momentary pain, a second of satisfaction and then immediate regret.What is trichotillomania?“Trichotillomania is a condition where people have a strong, uncontrollable urge to pull out their own hair. It’s usually linked to stress, anxiety, or emotional pressure. Some people do it when they are tense, and they feel a sense of relief after pulling. It’s not just a bad habit — it’s a psychological condition that needs care and understanding,” says Dr. Annamaneni Ravi Chander Rao, senior consultant and Head of Department (plastic surgery) at Care Hospitals. The disorder that starts with pulling hair can snowball into bigger complications.“Over time, constant hair pulling can lead to visible bald patches on the scalp, eyebrows, or eyelashes. This can severely affect a person’s confidence and emotional well-being. In some cases, the hair roots get damaged so badly that hair stops growing in that area. I have also seen rare cases where people swallow the pulled hair, which can cause serious stomach problems that might even need surgery,” adds Dr Rao.However, he warns that other conditions should be ruled out before diagnosing someone with this disorder.“Other causes of hair loss which include alopecia areata, tinea capitis, traction alopecia, and various medication-induced or systemic causes of hair loss, have to be ruled out before confirming trichotillomania (TTM),” says the doctor.How can it be treated?“The first step is to address the emotional side. Therapy, especially something called Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), works well to help people manage the urge to pull. In some cases, medications are also helpful to reduce anxiety. Once the person is mentally stable and has control over the habit, we step in to help with the cosmetic part. Depending on the damage, we offer hair transplant surgery, PRP treatment, or other techniques to restore hair and boost their confidence. But mental health always comes first,” says Dr Rao.
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