Urges and Boredom Fuel Hair-Pulling in Trichotillomania, Study Finds

A Heidelberg University study followed 61 adults with trichotillomania for 10 days using real-time prompts. It found that stronger urges most strongly predict hair-pulling episodes, with prior pulls and states like boredom and tiredness also linked to increased risk. Negative emotions play a role but are less predictive than the urge itself, suggesting under-arousal and environmental cues, not just distress, help drive the behavior. The study notes limitations (small, mostly female sample, intensive monitoring) and argues research should focus on the period between urge and action and the variety of triggers involved.