IS Trichotillomania (hair pulling and hair obsession) Hereditary.

United States
October 5, 2010 11:46am CST
My entire life I have had an ongoing obsession with my hair. Consisting of Twirling, brushing, and even chewing on my hair when I was younger. My first daughter did the same since a baby. Her hair was always long enough for her to put it in her mouth, twirl it and play with it. My exhusband decided one day to cut her hair very short. When she could no longer reach her hair into her mouth she began pulling a strand off at a time and putting it between her teeth like she was using floss. At first I didnt think anything of it until a bald spot developed on her head. I asked the docter and he referred us to a psychologist where I learned that this is an actual condition called Trichotillomania. I never knew my hair obsession was an actual "psychological condition". Within time we taught my daughter not to pull her hair out, and slowly but surely her hair grew back. Everyonce in a while, if she becomes stressed she will pull that one strand out and chew on it...I on the other hand have no control over twirling my hair, and for the most part dont realize it when I'm doing it. Meanwhile I had another baby girl. For the past month I have noticed her pulling my other daughters hair (her hair isnt long enough) and doing the SAME EXACT thing with that one little strand. I have read articles and havent seen any mention of Trichotillomania being Hereditary. But by my experience I truly believe it is. What do you think?
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