Optimizing psychological interventions for trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder): an update on current empirical status

Abstract

Trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder) is a psychiatric condition characterized by a persistent habit of pulling out one’s hair. In treatment-seeking populations, hair-pulling disorder can be severe, chronic, and difficult to treat. In the early 1970s, behavioral interventions (eg, habit reversal training) were developed and proved effective in treating chronic hair-pulling for many individuals. In order to further increase treatment efficacy and improve long-term outcome, several authors have developed augmented treatment protocols that combine traditional behavioral strategies with other cognitive-behavioral interventions, including cognitive therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy. In the present review, we give an overview of the clinical and diagnostic features of hair-pulling disorder, describe different cognitive-behavioral interventions, and evaluate research on their efficacy.

Keywords:

• trichotillomania
• hair-pulling
• cognitive-behavioral therapy
• diagnosis
• review

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.