Trichotillomania, commonly known as 'hair pulling disorder', is a mental health condition categorized under obsessive-compulsive disorders. Individuals feel an impulsive urge to pull out their own hair, eyebrows, or eyelashes as a coping mechanism for intense stress or anxiety. This repetitive behavior leads to noticeable hair and body hair loss in the affected areas.
First introduced to scientific literature by Dermatologist Hallopeau, this disorder is characterized by individuals experiencing intense tension and anxiety before the pulling act, followed by a sense of relief after performing the act. Prolonged continuation of this behavior can lead to permanent damage to hair follicles.