An estimated 4 million women and 2 million men across the country suffer from trichotillomania, "trich" for short. Doctors aren't sure what causes trichotillomania. It usually starts in early adolescence. Researchers speculate that it's caused by a grooming gene gone berserk. Despite what it looks like, it's not self-mutilation, it's not triggered by trauma, and because there are no obsessive thought patterns involved, it is not considered an obsessive-compulsive disorder. Instead, trich is a "body focus disorder," similar to severe nail biting or extreme skin picking. People feel very ashamed of their pulling," says Jennifer Raikes, who suffers from a relatively mild form of trich and has made a documentary film, Bad Hair Life, about the disorder. Filming a support group she helped form, Raikes captured a startling glimpse into the hidden world of trich. This "20/20" show contains the following additional stories: Where's the Pork? Reality MovieThis product is manufactured on demand using DVD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply.
