Struggling with the urge to pull out your hair can feel isolating and difficult to explain to others. You may have tried to stop many times, only to find the urge returning during moments of stress, boredom or emotional overwhelm.
At Priory, we offer compassionate, specialist treatment for trichotillomania. Our approach focuses on helping you understand the cycle of hair pulling and develop practical strategies to regain a sense of control.
Take the first step by booking a confidential mental health assessment.
Trichotillomania, sometimes referred to as hair pulling disorder, is a mental health condition characterised by a repeated urge to pull out your hair, most commonly from the scalp, eyebrows or eyelashes.
Although you may want to stop, the urge can feel intense and difficult to resist. Many people describe a build-up of tension before pulling hair, followed by a sense of temporary relief afterwards. Over time, this cycle can lead to visible hair loss, distress and feelings of shame or embarrassment.
Some people also chew or swallow the hair they pull. In rare cases, this can lead to medical complications, including digestive problems.
Trichotillomania is recognised as a body-focused repetitive behaviour and shares features with conditions such as anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
Hair pulling can vary in severity. For some people, it happens occasionally and feels manageable. For others, it becomes more frequent, more distressing and harder to control.
You may benefit from professional support if you:
If hair pulling is affecting your confidence, relationships or daily life, treatment may help.
There is rarely a single cause of trichotillomania. It is usually influenced by a combination of psychological, biological and environmental factors.
Many people notice that hair pulling increases during periods of stress or emotional tension. It can become a coping mechanism, even though it may lead to further distress over time.
Hair pulling may temporarily reduce uncomfortable feelings such as boredom, frustration, loneliness or sadness. Over time, the brain can begin to associate hair pulling with relief, reinforcing the behaviour.
Trichotillomania may occur alongside other conditions, including anxiety disorders, depression and OCD. In these cases, treatment may address more than one difficulty at the same time.
Some research suggests that body-focused repetitive behaviours can run in families, although not everyone with a family history will develop the condition.
Understanding the factors that contribute to your hair pulling can be an important step in treatment.
At Priory, treatment begins with a comprehensive mental health assessment to understand your symptoms, triggers and any co-existing mental health conditions. From there, we create a personalised care plan tailored to your needs.
CBT is one of the most widely recommended treatments for trichotillomania. It helps you identify the thoughts, emotions and situations linked to hair pulling.
A specialised form of CBT known as habit reversal training (HRT) is often used. This involves:
Over time, this can help reduce both the frequency and intensity of urges.
Therapy may also focus on developing healthier ways to manage difficult emotions. This can include stress management techniques, relaxation exercises and strategies to reduce boredom-related pulling.
If you are also experiencing anxiety, depression or OCD, these conditions can be addressed alongside trichotillomania as part of a coordinated treatment plan.
There is no medication specifically licensed for trichotillomania. However, medication may sometimes be recommended to help manage related conditions such as anxiety or depression. Any decision about medication would be made with a consultant psychiatrist.
All treatment at Priory follows evidence-based clinical guidance and is delivered by experienced clinicians.
We understand that everyone’s circumstances are different, which is why we offer a range of treatment options across our UK-wide network.
These include:
Most people with trichotillomania receive treatment on an outpatient basis. However, if hair pulling is part of a more complex presentation, a higher level of support may be recommended.
When you access support at Priory, you can expect:
Treatment aims to help you reduce hair pulling behaviours and develop healthier ways to manage stress and emotional triggers.
Priory supports thousands of people each year across a wide range of mental health conditions, delivering personalised care designed to meet individual needs.
Trichotillomania can feel overwhelming, but effective treatment is available. With the right support, many people experience meaningful improvements in their symptoms and confidence.
If you are ready to talk, our team is here to help.
Book a confidential mental health assessment today and explore the support available for trichotillomania.
