Trichotillomania is an impulse-control disorder in which a person compulsively and repeatedly pulls out his or her own hair. The person typically pulls or twists off hair from the scalp, often leaving visible bald patches. They may also sometimes pull out eyelashes, eyebrows, or pubic hair.
The cause of the condition is unknown, but it can be associated with severe learning difficulties or with psychological problems, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Treatment usually involves psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, although medications (antidepressants) may also be recommended