Trichotillomania is a frustrating and misunderstood disorder characterized by a compulsive, uncontrollable urge to pull out one’s hair, often leading to bald spots. Could you have trichotillomania? Take this test.
1. I pull out hair from my scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows, or elsewhere on my body.
2. My hair-pulling results in unintentional bald spots.
3. The urge to pull out my hair feels overpowering.
4. I experience a feeling of physical or mental tension right before I pull out a hair.
5. My attempts to stop pulling out my hair are short-lived.
6. I hide my pulling behavior from others.
7. During pulling episodes, I gravitate toward certain types of hair—for example, those that feel coarser or curlier than those around them.
8. My hair-pulling makes me feel anxious, depressed, or ashamed.
9. After I pull out a hair, I feel an urge to inspect the root, roll the hair between my fingers, or touch it to my face.
10. I experience a tingly or itch-like sensation on my skin or scalp that is alleviated by pulling out a hair.
11. I catch myself pulling out my hair when I’m bored.
12. When I’m pulling, it feels like I’m not in full control of my body.
13. I avoid situations, such as getting a haircut or going outside on a windy day, where other people might notice my hair-pulling or the resulting bald spots.
14. When I’m focused intensely on something else, I start pulling my hair without really noticing.
15. Pulling out a hair triggers a feeling of satisfaction or relief, at least briefly.
16. I feel embarrassed when someone learns that I pull out my hair.
17. I pull out my hair without even realizing that I’m doing it.
18. I am angry at myself for pulling out my hair.
19. I avoid social gatherings because I don’t want others to know that I pull out my hair.
20. My hair-pulling gets worse when I’m anxious or experiencing stress.