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Behavioral aspects of trichotillomania
1Dept of Psychiatry and Neurology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans.
Summary
Trichotillomania involves irresistible urges to pull out hair, often starting in childhood or adolescence. Effective treatments include clomipramine and habit reversal training.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Trichotillomania is a disorder characterized by the inability to resist urges to pull out one's own hair.
- It affects at least 1 in 200 college-aged individuals, often beginning in childhood or adolescence.
Observation:
- A later onset of trichotillomania is associated with a more chronic course.
- A potential link between trichotillomania and obsessive-compulsive disorder is under investigation but not yet confirmed.
Findings:
- Limited rigorous research exists on trichotillomania treatments.
- Current first-line treatments include the medication clomipramine and behavior therapy, specifically habit reversal training.
Implications:
- Further research is needed to understand the etiology and refine treatment strategies for trichotillomania.
- Establishing the relationship with obsessive-compulsive disorder could inform therapeutic approaches.