Leonardo Volpato
If you’re a fan of BBB 23 (Globo), maybe you’ve noticed that whenever she’s anxious or nervous, doctor Amanda Meirelles usually pulls out her own hair. The sister’s own family has already shown concern about the possibility that this “mania” indicates something more serious: a disorder called trichotillomania.
“Trichotillomania is a disease in which the individual pulls out his hair to relieve a psychological mental compulsion”, explains dermatologist and dermatological surgeon Gustavo Martins. “Situations of stress or high pressure are triggering factors for the intensification of this act. It is a problem, with treatment and often requires dermatological and psychiatric follow-up.”
In the program, Amanda has already reported that she pulled out all the hair on her arms with tweezers during a peak of stress. At another time, Aline Wirley noticed a flaw on her colleague’s scalp and asked her to stop the habit. “It’s very red and bruised,” said the singer.
According to Martins, usually the act of pulling out the threads is done consciously by the patient, but the compulsion can be so great that the person does not even realize what he is doing. In any case, as in the case of Amanda, it is up to family and friends to help raise awareness of the correct referral to the patient.
He also says that the confinement and the pressure of participating in one of the most watched programs on Brazilian TV may have contributed to the disorder, even if controlled, manifesting itself again. “Amanda, immediately after leaving the BBB, should seek help from a dermatologist and a psychiatrist to be properly medicated”, he indicates.
According to the expert, the disorder affects boys and girls equally. However, in adulthood, women are up to four times more likely to have trichotillomania than men. The good news is that if there is permanent control in the medium and long term even after stopping treatment, it is possible to consider that there has been a cure.
“Cognitive-behavioral therapy, in which the person learns to identify triggers and deal with them, is usually useful too”, adds Martins.
Source: Folha
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