Trichotillomania also known as trichotillosis or hair pulling disorder. An impulsive control disorder, when a person compulsively pulls out strands of hair in distinct patches on the scalp. Trichotillomania is often caused by an undue amount of anxiety, stress and depression.

Trichotillomania may be present in infants, but the peak age of onset is 9 to 13. It may be triggered by depression or stress. Owing to social implications the disorder is often unreported and it is difficult to accurately predict its prevalence; the lifetime prevalence is estimated to be between 0.6% and 4.0% of the overall population. Common areas for hair to be pulled out are the scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows, legs, arms, hands, nose and the pubic areas.