Do I have Hair pulling disorder (Trichotillomania)?
This screening tool is designed as a guide to determine if you might have a problem with hair pulling.
| Yes No | Do you pull hair out of your head? |
| Yes No | Do you pull your eyelashes and/or eyebrows? |
| Yes No | Do you pull out hair on your arms and/or legs? |
| Yes No | Do you pull out your pubic hair? |
| Yes No | Do you pull hair elsewhere in your body? |
| Yes No | Do you pull out hair when you are anxious or depressed? |
| Yes No | Do you pull out hair when you are bored? |
| Yes No | Do you pull out hair when you are engaged in other activities? (i.e., watching TV, talking on the phone, using the computer, at a movie theatre, during class, while driving). |
| Yes No | Are you often not aware that you are pulling your hair out, and only realize it after some time has passed? |
| Yes No | Do you have noticeable bald or thinning spots where you pull you hair? |
| Yes No | Do you use hats, make-up, and/or clothing to camouflage my hair loss? |
| Yes No | Do you avoid going out because I am embarrassed or ashamed about my hair? |
| Yes No | Do you often pull in the morning before work/school? |
| Yes No | Do you often pull at night before bed? |
| Yes No | Prior to, or during a hair pulling episode, do you often feel a sense of tension, itching, tingling, or pressure? |
| Yes No | Do you often feel powerless to resist the urge to pull your hair out? |
| Yes No | Do you often get a sense of relief, gratification, and/or pleasure when you pull your hair out? |
| Yes No | Do you also pick at your skin to the point of causing damage to your skin? |
| Yes No | Do you also do other self-damaging behaviors (i.e., cutting, burning, head banging)? |
| Yes No | Are you significantly distressed, anxious, and/or depressed about you hair pulling? |
| Yes No | Is your hair pulling interfering with you relationships and/or with your academic or professional functioning? |
If your answered Yes to any of the questions above AND it is causing distress or interference in your life, you may have Hair pulling disorder. However, a licensed psychologist can make a more accurate diagnosis. Consider getting in touch with us for a complete and thorough evaluation.