Trichotillomania, Mineral Imbalances & The Hidden Root Causes

Trichotillomania—a condition characterized by the irresistible urge to pull out hair—can be confusing and heartbreaking for parents to witness in their child. While traditional approaches often focus on behavioral therapy, there's an important layer that frequently gets overlooked: biochemistry. Specifically, the role of mineral imbalances and heavy metal toxicity in driving compulsive behaviors like hair pulling.

As a holistic practitioner who works with kids and parents to uncover the root causes of behavioral symptoms, I’ve seen how powerful it can be to look at what’s going on beneath the surface—starting with something as simple as a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) test.

🧠 How Minerals Impact the Brain & Behavior

Minerals act like spark plugs in the body—they regulate your child's mood, nervous system, stress response, and even impulse control. When key minerals are imbalanced or heavy metals are high, neurological symptoms often show up, especially in kids who are already sensitive or emotionally dysregulated.

With trichotillomania, here are some of the most common imbalances I see:

🔶 High Copper

Excess copper overstimulates the brain and can contribute to obsessive-compulsive behaviors, anxiety, and irritability. Copper also depletes zinc, a calming, grounding mineral essential for emotional regulation.

🧂 Low Sodium & Potassium

Sodium and potassium play a role in adrenal function and how a child copes with stress. When these are low, it often leads to poor resilience, sleep issues, and difficulty controlling impulses.

🧲 Calcium Shell

Some children with chronic emotional suppression or trauma have what's known as a calcium shell on their HTMA test—a very high calcium level that creates a “shut down” or disconnected emotional state. These kids may seem detached, but internally, they’re overwhelmed.

⚠️ Heavy Metals

Toxic metals like aluminum, lead, or cadmium can displace essential minerals, interfere with neurological development, and worsen behavioral symptoms. These can be inherited in utero or passed down epigenetically—meaning your child may have been born with a predisposition that needs support.

💡 So What Can Be Done?

Trichotillomania is not just “all in the head.” It can be a biochemical cry for help. The good news? By running an HTMA test, we can identify exactly which mineral patterns or toxic metals may be contributing to your child's symptoms and create a personalized protocol that supports their nervous system and emotional balance.

With the right support, I’ve seen children dramatically reduce or even stop their hair-pulling behavior as we address the root cause.