SANTA CRUZ, Calif., Sept. 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Trichotillomania (compulsive hair-pulling) affects between 2-4 % of Americans -- including as many as 1 million children -- yet remains little known or understood by medical professionals and the general public. The Trichotillomania Learning Center (TLC) is drawing attention to this disorder with All Join Hands 2007, National Trichotillomania Awareness Week, taking place from October 1-7, 2007.
All Join Hands 2007 events include: screenings of the award-winning documentary, Bad Hair Life: Living with Trichotillomania; an awareness campaign through hair salons; and educational outreach to teachers, doctors, therapists, and cosmetologists led by local support groups. Events are scheduled in many cities, including San Francisco, New York, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and Atlanta.
Trichotillomania ("trich" for short) is a biological and behavioral disorder that usually starts in children ages 6-14. Its cause is not known, though early studies point to genetic factors in at least some cases. Trichotillomania can result in bald spots or total baldness, often causes serious harm to the sufferer's self-esteem and quality of life, and disrupts the functioning of many families.
"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," says TLC executive director Christina Pearson.
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 by promoting research and treatment
advances and providing information and support to sufferers and their
families through educational events, treatment
|SOURCE Trichotillomania Learning Center, Inc.|
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