Causes of Trichotillomania

Up to this time, the real cause of trichotillomania is unknown. No one can exactly pinpoint why this disorder happens and what its real cause. However, there are a lot of possible reasons that have been linked to the occurrence of this disorder. According to some claims, it may be due to a combination of a number of factors such as genetic, chemical imbalances in the brain, or the developmental events that happens earlier in the womb.

Outside from those scientific perceptions about the possible causes of trichotillomania, one particular explanation stands out to be the most possible and it has something to do with medical illness. Well, the theory behind this suggests on a biological level that the act of pulling one’s hair occur when certain disruptions in the system happens. This disruption may involve the chemical messengers that dwell between the nerve cells in parts of the brain. This basically has something to do with the motor actions in the human brain.

Genetic also plays a large part in the development of trichotillomania. This is also present in the case with obsessive compulsive disorder which may involve neurological disturbances in the system.

Much to your surprise, stress is believed to cause this disorder as it is closely related to some body-focused problems like nail biting and skin picking. I think the basis of this association is the notion that when animals are stressed or trapped, what they usually do is they lick, pull or root out their own fur or plumage. This is highly evident in horses that have been known to east their tails, as well as in birds in the wild that tend to pull out their own feathers just to line a nest when no others can be located. So when people pull their own hairs out, they are perhaps reverting to this behavioral instinct that is by fact present within all of us.