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Trichotillomania and co-occurring anxiety
Jon E Grant1, Sarah A Redden1, Eric W Leppink1
1Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL.
Comprehensive Psychiatry
|September 27, 2016
Summary
Trichotillomania with anxiety disorders presents with more severe hair pulling and impaired motor inhibition. This suggests anxiety may be a key factor influencing trichotillomania presentation and cognitive deficits.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Neuroscience
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Trichotillomania (hair pulling disorder) is common and frequently co-occurs with anxiety disorders.
- Individuals with trichotillomania often report exacerbated pulling during heightened anxiety.
- The clinical significance of trichotillomania subtypes based on anxiety comorbidity remains under-researched.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if trichotillomania with co-occurring anxiety disorders represents a distinct clinical subtype.
- To compare clinical features and cognitive functioning between individuals with and without anxiety disorders.
Main Methods:
- 165 adults with trichotillomania were assessed for symptom severity, functioning, and comorbidities.
- Cognitive testing included measures of motor inhibition and cognitive flexibility.
- Participants were grouped based on the presence (n=38) or absence (n=127) of current anxiety disorders.
Main Results:
- Trichotillomania patients with anxiety disorders reported significantly worse hair pulling symptoms.
- Anxiety comorbidity was associated with higher rates of depression and family history of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
- Individuals with anxiety disorders demonstrated poorer performance on motor inhibition tasks.
Conclusions:
- Anxiety disorders significantly influence the clinical presentation of hair pulling behavior in trichotillomania.
- Findings suggest a potential need for tailored treatments for trichotillomania patients with co-occurring anxiety.
- Further research is warranted to validate these findings and explore treatment individualization.
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