Trichotillomania is an anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent hair pulling to the point where the resulting hair loss is noticeable. In addition, four other symptoms are necessary to receive this diagnosis according to the DSM. These symptoms are:
- an increase in tension exists immediately before hair pulling or while resisting the temptation to hair pull
- pleasure or relief is produced when hair is pulled
- the behavior is not due to another Axis I or Axis III disorder
- the behavior causes functional impairment and/or clinically significant distress
