trichotillomania
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of trichotillomania
1900–05; tricho- + Greek tíll ( ein ) to pluck, pull out + -o- + -mania
Explanation
Trichotillomania is an obsessive, irresistible urge to pull out your own hair. It's a serious mental condition. Many psychological compulsions and conditions include the word mania, such as pyromania, which is a compulsion to set fires. Another is trichotillomania, a condition suffered by people who can't help pulling out their own hair. This goes way beyond the frustrated saying "I was pulling out my own hair!" This is a real mental-health problem that can cause serious behavior and appearance problems for the sufferers. Anyone who thinks they might have trichotillomania should consult a doctor.
Vocabulary lists containing trichotillomania
Psychological Conditions and Disorders
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Psychology
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Ruben Chorlton-Owen, 24, from Abersoch in Gwynedd, has trichotillomania, also known as trich or TTM.
From BBC ● Mar. 24, 2026
Ruben, who was diagnosed with trichotillomania 10 years ago, said at his lowest point he pulled out most of the hairs on his eyebrows.
From BBC ● Mar. 24, 2026
The "Life & Beth" creator and star recently revealed that she has "trichotillomania."
From Fox News ● Mar. 25, 2022
Their lead compound, SXC-2023, has even progressed to phase II clinical testing, where it is being administered to patients with an impulse control disorder called trichotillomania, also known as the hair-pulling disorder.
From Scientific American ● Jan. 13, 2020
Pearson launched a support group and appeared on a Seattle news network, where she spoke about her life and gave her own phone number as a trichotillomania hotline.
From The Guardian ● Aug. 23, 2018
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
