Trichotillomania Information

Just what is Trichotillomania

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) (American Psychiatric Association, Washington, DC, 1994) defines Trichotillomania as:

Recurrent pulling out of one's hair resulting in noticeable hair loss.

Increasing sense of tension immediately before pulling out the hair.

Pleasure, gratification, or relief when pulling out the hair.

Not better accounted for by another mental disorder and not due to a general medical condition (e.g., a dermatological disorder).

Results in substantial distress and/or interferes with functioning.

Not all patients who pull out their hair meet these strict criteria. In fact, many do not experience a growing sense of tension before pulling. Nonetheless, they frequently have a distressing problem that might very well benefit from treatment.

Finding out I wasn't alone was one of the greatest days in my life. I love chating with others that suffer from this disorder. I have put this site together to help take the work out of your searches, every link you need is right here. I have spent years searching the internet (and still do daily) for the best information out there. These are the sites, I have found to be the best on Trich, plus a few other added bonuses.

I have found a few websites that I think everyone with Trich can benifit from. My favorites are also linked at the top.

Hope to see you there.

Trichotillomania Learning Center: There are some Awesome ladies with this disorder and if it wasn't for Christina Pearson, Founder and Director of TLC, many of us would still think we were alone with this disorder. TLC raises awareness, and does wonderful things in Research and Education with the donations it recieves. Even if you don't have Trich but know someone that does, please consider a small donation. Every little bit helps.

Brendakota's Site: Brenda has been in the Trich world for many years, and has dedicated much of her time to informing others about Trichotillomania, she has put together a great site on Trich, she has tons of information and also has doctors, hairdressers, support groups listed by state that others with Trich have recommended to her.

BrendaC's Message Board: The two Brenda's are different people but they have joined together to maintain the largest (and best) online Support Group and Chat on the internet. IMPORTANT: BrendaC's Message Board is a private community for people who suffer from Trichotillomania, they require that you fill out a short application stating why you would like to become a member.

Amanda's Site: Chalked full of great information, this site is a Must visit. Amanda is another great icon in the world of Trichotillomania, her site is very Christian oriented.

Mari's Site: If your interested in trying the John Kender Diet, Mari has lots of information on her site.

Eva's Homepage: Here is a great site in German, I think anyways, I really can't read German.

TTMinOZ: If you live in Australia or New Zealand there is a great message board for you.

UK Trichotillomania Suppor Site: Here is a site for those of you in Ireland or the UK.

Other Stuff

This is a Must read book for anyone that has anything to do with Trichotillomania, friend, family, doctor, patient. Dr. Penzel really knows what he's writing about.

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