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Hair Pulling
What Happens When a Child Can't Quit?
By Teri Brown
"The good news is, behavioral strategies have been developed for children ranging from 1 to 2 years old, to older teens," Pearson says. "By contacting Trichotillomania Learning Center and requesting this information, you can either try it on your own with your child or work with a therapist. Most important is a practical, loving approach."
TTM is, in the vast majority of cases, not life threatening, unless there is hair ingestion, in which case a trichobezoar or "hair ball" can form, causing gastric blockage. Pearson stresses that if this is suspected, the child should be evaluated immediately. Though this is fairly rare, it must be considered as a possibly life-threatening problem if the child is ingesting large quantities of hair. Look for hair in the stools and vomit, problems keeping food down, constipation, etc., and if present, immediately take the child in.
"Normally, the biggest danger from TTM is not the loss of hair," Pearson says. "That will grow back; the child is not doing permanent damage. The biggest problem is the loss of self-esteem, feeling out of control, knowing others don't like what you are doing, and yet not being able to stop. So a loving, low-key approach is essential! And again, the good news is, with a good treatment approach, the prognosis is excellent."
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