What causes Trichotillomania? A new gene found at the root!

Everyone feels like tearing their hair out now and then. Some people actually do it….. compulsively. This condition is known as Trichotillomania. Trichotillomania is an impulse control disorder that affects 3 to 5 percent of the population. Scientists at Duke University Medical Centre have found evidence that trichotillomania, a psychiatric disorder that causes people to compulsively pull their hair, has a basis in genetics.

Patients with the disorder have noticeable hair loss and bald patches, but often mask their habit, making it difficult to diagnose. Treatment includes therapy to make a patient more aware of their habit and drugs to manage the related symptoms such as depression, anxiety and other conditions such as obsessive compulsive disorder and Tourette syndrome.

The Duke researchers studied 44 families with one or more members who had trichotillomania and found that two mutations in a gene called SLITKR1 were associated with about five percent of trichotillomania cases.

Apparently, even a small relationship like this provides evidence of a biological basis for mental illnesses, which have long been blamed on life experiences, according to Stephan Züchner, an assistant professor of psychiatry and researcher at the Duke Centre for Human Genetics. Showing a genetic connection could help reduce stigmas associated with certain mental illnesses and improve diagnosis and therapies, he said.

The researchers believe that other genes are also probably linked with the disorder.

“The SLITKR1 gene could be among many other genes that are likely to interact with each other and environmental factors to trigger trichotillomania and other psychiatric conditions,” said Allison Ashley-Koch, the study's senior investigator. “Such discoveries could open the door for genetic testing, which is completely unheard of in the field of psychiatry.”

At Transitions Hair it is our hope that the research will provide long term help, health and a solution to those affected by trichotillomania.

Cosmetic Help for Trichotilomania

If you suffer from trichotillomania and you need cosmetic help with your hair, please call us on 1300 427 778 or email us. We have a range of options that can help your hair look great whilst you are dealing with trichotillomania. We have been fortunate to help many people, we are sure we can assist you too.

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