SANTA CRUZ, Calif., Oct. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- To break the silence around trichotillomania (compulsive hair-pulling), a disorder that affects millions of Americans, the Trichotillomania Learning Center (TLC) is pleased to announce All Join Hands, the first national trichotillomania awareness week, taking place October 1-8, 2006. Already, more than 60 communities around the country have scheduled events, including Minneapolis, Atlanta, New York, Houston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Pittsburgh. Two states, Michigan and South Carolina, have issued State Proclamations honoring the event and urging citizens to learn more.
(Proclamations can be viewed on website www.trich.org )
Trichotillomania: The Silent Epidemic
Trichotillomania ("trich" for short) is a biological and behavioral disorder that, though little known by the general public and even by most medical professionals, affects approximately 1-2 in 50 people. Trich and related behaviors like skin-picking usually start in childhood, and can result in small bald spots or total baldness. This disorder often causes serious harm to the sufferer's self-esteem and quality of life and disrupts the functioning of many families. Just last week, Duke University released a scientific study that identifies a genetic link for some cases of trich.
"A terrible aspect of trichotillomania and skin-picking is the shame and isolation they cause," says TLC executive director Christina Pearson. "What I love about All Join Hands is that it will bring people with these disorders together and raise public awareness at the same time. It is important for people to know these problems are common and that help is available."
Children with trich often have problems attending school because of teasing and bullying, as well as studying and reading, due to their strong urges to pull their hair. Adult sufferers -- 90% of whom are women -- often feel great shame, have difficulty developing intimate relationships, and unnecessarily limit their professional and social lives in an effort to keep their secret. The cause and nature of trich and related disorders is not yet well understood. However, in the past decade successful treatments have been developed that can greatly help control the behaviors and limit their negative impact
All Join Hands National Awareness Week, October 1-8, 2006
All Join Hands will be a week-long series of events held around the country to raise public awareness and de-stigmatize these disorders. From October 1-8th, TLC members and volunteers will organize events in their local communities. Activities include screenings of Bad Hair Life, an award-winning documentary about trich, presentations to local schools and community groups, "trich week" at local hair salons, and a "Hands-Down-a-Thon" sponsorship program to reward participants' recovery efforts.
For more information about All Join Hands events near you or about this complex and little understood disorder, contact Christina Pearson at / . She can refer you to leading researchers, scientists, and clinicians familiar with the latest breakthroughs, upcoming scientific projects, and information. TLC also has families and individuals who struggle with the problem, standing by, willing to share their stories.
About the Trichotillomania Learning Center (TLC)
The Trichotillomania Learning Center (TLC) is the only national nonprofit organization serving the trichotillomania community. TLC's mission is to improve the quality of life of children, adolescents and adults with trich and related disorders, such as skin-picking. TLC promotes research and treatment advances and provides information and support to sufferers and their families through educational events, treatment referrals, and information dissemination via web site ( www.trich.org ) and newsletter.
SOURCE Trichotillomania Learning Center, Inc.