The Trichotillomania Learning Center, Inc.
www.trich.org
Tel: 831-457-1004
1215 Mission Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Fax: 831-426-4383
What is Trichotillomania?
What is the Trichotillomania Learning Center?
What Does TLC Do?
What is IN TOUCH?
TLC's Annual Retreat
Other Areas of Interest
What You Can Do To Help
TLC Scientific Advisory Board Members
What is Trichotillomania?
Trichotillomania is a disorder that manifests in the compulsive urge to pull one's hair resulting in noticeable hair loss. Currently defined in medical literature as an impulse control disorder, the condition has come to light in recent years as the result of media attention on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder*. There are distinct differences in the conditions, but enough of an overlap that compulsive hair pulling is commonly included in what are called "Obsessive-Compulsive Spectum Disorders" which include a variety of conditions that seem related to OCD, but do not meet actual OCD diagnostic criteria.
The term "trichotillomania" is derived from the Greek words for hair (thrix), to pull out (tillein), and insanity, or frenzy (mania) and was coined in 1889 by a French dermatologist named Hallepeau for describing the case of a young man. Compulsive hair pulling has probably been around as long as there have been living beings with hair to pull. In the Book of Ezra in the Old Testament of the Bible, Ezra describes hair pulling in verse 9.3. "and when I heard this thing, I rent my garment and my mantle, and plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard". Throughout the ages, hair has played a magical, mystical and expressive part of our various cultures, through its very presence or absence.
Many people are affected by this disorder. Sufferers, many of whom are young children or adolescents, experience profound shame, hopelessness, depression and embarrassment that can impact every aspect of their lives. There are many sufferers that have worn wigs, hair pieces and false eyelashes for as long as they can remember. Children who have never ridden on a roller coaster for fear of the wind. People who cannot swim, bike, run, dance, or be in a relationship for fear of exposure of their hidden secret. Children who refuse to go to school because of the ridicule they experience from other classmates. Parents who cannot provide help or compassion because they do not understand the nature of the disorder. And many doctors who fail to diagnose the condition because they have not been trained to do so.
What is the Trichotillomania Learning Center?
The Trichotillomania Learning Center, Inc. (TLC) is a national nonprofit organization supported by memberships established in 1991by a sufferer of the condition to provide information, support, and referral resources to all who inquire about the experience and treatment of compulsive hair pulling.
Although there have been no epidemiological studies to identify the actual number of people with this condition yet, it is estimated that in the United States alone, there are probably between 6 to 8 million sufferers of trichotillomania.
The purpose in establishing TLC is to assist in the development of treatment options for those suffering from compulsive hair pulling and other related behaviors. Our goal is to insure that this information is accessible to those in need through us or other resources.
With the growing need for professionals specializing in this field, TLC is also committed to providing the most up-to-date information available on diagnosis and treatment, along with continuing to work toward public awareness and education to fulfill these goals.
What Does TLC Do?
TLC's offices are located in Santa Cruz, CA where weekly self-help groups are offered. The office is staffed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:AM to 3 :PM. We hope to expand these hours in the near future. During this time we answer calls and provide information, possible support contacts, treatment referrals and a chance to talk. Many of the people who call TLC are sufferers, but parents, friends, educators and treatment providers also call, searching for various bits of information. TLC has a comprehensive information package on trichotillomania that can be ordered by sending $15.00 (US dollars) to our address with a request.
What is IN TOUCH?
IN TOUCH is the publication of the Trichotillomania Learning Center. Contributors include professionals who treat compulsive hair pulling and other OC Spectrum disorders, as well as people who suffer and are willing to share their personal experience. One of the goals of IN TOUCH is to provide information that can be useful in developing personal treatment plans, along with the opportunity to share with others. To receive IN TOUCH as one of the benefits of becoming a TLC member supporter, please join us!
TLC's Annual Retreat
Each year, TLC holds an annual retreat allowing people to come together in a safe and private environment for a few days of rest, information and spiritual sustenance. This provides a chance to step outside the veil of secrecy, a chance to play and make new friends, and continues to aid in the development of a loving national network of support.
Other Areas of Interest
TLC assists in sponsoring and co-sponsoring educational presentations and symposiums around the country aimed at raising public awareness of trichotillomania and related disorders. This is an ongoing area of expansion, as requests are coming in for more information all the time.
TLC has also produced a documentary video on the experience of trichotillomania called "Our Personal Stories - The Truth Trichotillomania". This is available for $28.00 plus $5.95 shipping (US Dollars). This video expresses some of the life situations and areas of personal grief and recovery experienced by the eight women on the tape. For anyone seeking personal insight into this disorder, this tape is highly useful.
TLC has established a Scientific Advisory Board of professionals from around the country to assist in the continuing efforts to alleviate the suffering caused by trichotillomania and other disorders.
What You Can Do To Help
Just as with other nonprofit organizations, TLC needs financial support. Because trichotillomania is an area that is just beginning to be publicly acknowledged, we have not received any major outside flinding as of yet. Hopefully, with more media awareness, financial support will become more available.
Meanwhile, if you are interested in helping, please use this form to support ThC's work.
On behalf of all who suffer with trichotillomania, the Staff at TLC.
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TLC Scientific Advisory Board Members
Charles Mansueto, Ph.D. (Advisory Chair)
Director, Behavior Therapy Center of Greater Wash. D.C
Sliver Spnng MD
Nancy Keuthen, Ph.D.
Co-Director, Trichotillomania Clinic
Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA
Philip Ninan, M.D.
Emory Clinic, Atlanta GA
Carol Novak, M.D.
Director, Pioneer Clinic, St. Paul MN
Richard O'Sullivan, M.D.
Medical Director CNS
Pfizer, Inc. New York NY\
David Pauls, Ph.D.
Yale ChildStudv Center
Yale University New Haven CT
Frederick Penzel, Ph.D.
Director, Western Suffolk psychological Services
Huntington NY
Elizabeth Reeve, M.D.
Ramsey Clinic, St. Paul MN
Barbara Rothbaum, Ph.D.
Emory Clinic, Atlanta GA
Melinda Stanley, Ph.D.
Dept. Of Psychiatry/Behavioral Sciences
University ofTexas, Houston TX
Dan Stein, M.B.
Dept. Of Psychiatry/Faculty of Medicine
University of Stellenbosch
Tygerberg, South Africa
Scientific Advisory Board Cosultant
Susan Swedo, M.D.
Scientific Director
NationalInstitute of Mental Health
Bethesda MD