The Hair Pulling Test: How To Know If You Have Trichotillomania
You pull your hair more than you'd like, and you're wondering if it's "a thing" or a habit. The free hair pulling test takes a couple of minutes and gives you a clearer picture of what's going on.
Take the hair pulling testFree. Not a diagnosis.
By Nathan Peterson, LCSW, OCD and BFRB therapistOverview of the hair pulling test
A trichotillomania test is a short set of questions about your hair pulling. There's no thread, no tugging, and nothing physical. Older articles describe a "thread test" for trichotillomania, but that isn't how it's checked.
The questions cover things like:
- How often you pull, and for how long
- Where you pull from, like your scalp, brows, or lashes
- Whether you feel an urge or tension before pulling, and relief after
- Whether you've tried to stop or cut back
- Whether it's caused hair loss you notice or try to hide
- How much it bothers you or gets in the way of your life
Answer based on how things have been lately, not your best or worst day.
What your results mean
Your results give you a sense of how much your pulling looks like trichotillomania and how much it's affecting you. A higher score means it's more likely worth talking to a professional. A lower score doesn't mean your pulling doesn't matter, especially if it bothers you.
Either way, the test can't diagnose you. That part takes a conversation with someone trained to do it.
Diagnosing trichotillomania
A mental health professional, like a psychologist, psychiatrist, or licensed therapist, makes the diagnosis. They'll ask about your pulling and how it affects your life. In plain words, the DSM-5 criteria are:
- Pulling out your own hair over and over, leading to hair loss
- Trying again and again to cut back or stop
- The pulling causes distress, or gets in the way of work, school, or relationships
- It isn't caused by a medical or skin condition
- It isn't better explained by another mental health condition
A doctor or dermatologist may also look at your scalp to rule out other causes of hair loss. For a full rundown of signs, see trichotillomania symptoms.
What to do after the test
If your results point toward trichotillomania, the main treatment is a behavioral therapy called habit reversal training. You can read about it in trichotillomania treatment explained, or start with the steps in how to stop pulling your hair.
I know, a score on a screen can feel like a verdict. It isn't. It's a starting point for knowing where to work.
Take the test, then write down your score and the one place you pull most. That's the first thing you'll work on, whether it's with a therapist, the course below, or on your own.
Common questions about the hair pulling test
Is an online trichotillomania test accurate?
A good one can tell you whether your pulling looks like trichotillomania and how much it's affecting you. It can't diagnose you. Think of it as a way to decide whether it's worth talking to someone who treats BFRBs.
What is the "hair pull test" at the dermatologist?
That's a different thing. A dermatologist gently tugs on a small group of hairs to see how many come out, which helps check for hair shedding conditions. It isn't a test for trichotillomania.
Can a doctor tell if hair loss is from pulling?
Often, yes. A dermatologist can look closely at the scalp, sometimes with a magnifying tool, and see patterns that point to pulling, like hairs broken off at different lengths. They can also rule out other causes of hair loss.
Can kids take the hair pulling test?
A parent can take it with or for their child as a starting point. For a diagnosis, talk with a pediatrician or a therapist who works with kids and BFRBs.
