Good morning! Last night the TLC board had its monthly meeting, and the main topic of discussion was the renaming of trichotillomania.
Here’s a little context: it is evident to both the community of sufferers and the clinical/research professionals that work in this field, that the name of trichotillomania needs to be changed.
We’ve known this for years, but now there is a real chance for change. The DSM-V, or the Diagnostic Statistical manual -Version 5, which is the main resource book for mental health diagnostic information, is being updated as I type. It is a huge international project, and the new text should be published in 2012.
There is a move away from Latin and Greek terms, and an attempt to use English words as descriptors more often in the DSM.
The name currently being vetted for the DSM-V is Hair Pulling Disorder. Yes, it describes the problem well – but I find it very simplistic and I worry that many will not take it to be as serious a disorder as it really is.
Plus, the initials HPD also currently are used for Histrionic Personality Disorder – just what we DON’T need to be associated with. This bums me out!
I have felt that simply to drop the mania off of trichotillomania would suffice – Trichotillia, as that gives a more discrete name that sounds like it has more medical significance. Not that I am attached to that, either.
So today this is my personal conundrum: what would really be a more effective name change for this troublesome disorder?
From the very moment that I learned the name of trichotillomania, I have wanted to change it. Right now I am sort of kicking myself for not focusing more on this problem, and helping to develop a better solution.
Urk. What else – got to get ready for work, so have a great day!
Love, Christina
11 Comments
I am suffering from trichotillomania. I think it should be changed to TRICH. It is easier to remember and is easier to say. :]
Both my son’s doctor and therapist hate it when I call trichotillomania “trich” because the term is also used for an STD. I tell them that I’m sorry, but that’s one of the primary knicknames those in the community use. ugh!
I’m all for renaming the disorder trichotillia, dropping the mania. My son isn’t crazy, he just pulls his hair. (Okay, our whole family is kind of nuts, but in a good way. LOL!) Plus, it’s just plain easier to say while still sounding like you’re talking about a real medical condition.
I don’t like Hair Pulling Disorder either for the reasons Christina stated.
I know many people with manias, and they’re not crazy either.
I think most everyone diagnosed hates the “mania” part of TTM at this point. What worries me a little is that Trich is finally, almost, starting to get a name for itself so people know what it is. Then we go and change it and I wonder if the bank of knowledge will suffer for a while. I think the Compulsive Hair Pulling title makes sense, because it includes the part that feels so uncontrollable to people.
Are they going to rename Schizophrenia too since that is based on the Greek? I guess I don’t see how it really is going to be all that more helpful in the long run when you have diagnoses that people are already familiar with. People still use the term “split personality” quite often even though that name was officially changed.
Christina, Just letting you know that we had Adam’s Pizza party Friday and celebrated 5 months PICK-FREE.
He had a great time and shared with his classmates why we were having the party. As the kids ate, I heard the conversations that they were having about trich. They have been educated by Adam’s disorder. Adam received a round of applause from them and everyone who attended told Adam how great he was doing. He had a good weekend and hopefully is back on track. Thanks for your support. I have said I was ready for a setback, but, guess what I wasn’t. Shame on me! Always, Judy, Adam, Larry Gunter
I think “Hair Pulling Disorder” is worse than trichotillomania.
I don’t see any problem with the current name, trichotillomania. In fact, I prefer it to trichotillia and especially to “Hair pulling disorder.”
Recently I went to a doctor and included my trich in my medical history. I know I feel a lot better telling a friend or even health professional “trichotillomania” than “hair pulling disorder.” It’s demeaning.
i believe its more important to bring awareness to this disorder than worry so much about the name, trichotilia would be ok but im so usto trichotillomania i guess. i just hope there would be more research ,and more help, more meetings ,in different places cause there are so many people with this disorder who are ashamed and dont know where to turn to.
The condition is Trichotillomania. It already has a name. The priority has to be to get the message out about the disorder and to be clear about it so that sufferers are better understood and they can access the help they need. What exactly is changing the name to Hair Pulling Disorder going to achieve? For a start, it isn’t going to help the sufferer. In addition it could be a source of confusion, embarrassment and shame. Changing the name sounds like trying to deny both the validity and severity of the condition. Accepting ourselves is one of the greatest challenges of Trichotillomania , and accepting the name is part of that acceptance.
I very much prefer Trichotillia over Hair Pulling Disorder, for the same reasons that others have stated, but especially the need for this disorder to be taken seriously.
The term Trichotillia, to me means that the disorder is recognized by scientific and medical professionals.
I have been successful in requesting that my Governor issue a Proclamation each year designating Oct 1 – 7 as Trichotillomania Awareness Week in MA. I’d be a lot less comfortable asking that he declare it Hair Pulling Disorder Week.
Trichotillosis.