Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 21, 2025
06:01
Collecting Hair Samples for Hair Cortisol Analysis in African Americans
Published on: June 10, 2018
18.3K
Trichotillomania Prevalence in an Arab Middle Eastern Population
Ahmed H Subki1, Hazim A Khatib2, Nadeem S Butt3
1Department of Internal Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care
|November 17, 2022
Summary
Trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder) affects 1.8% of adults in western Saudi Arabia, with higher prevalence in women. A history of hair-pulling is common, but diagnosed TTM is less so.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Trichotillomania (TTM), or hair-pulling disorder, is a psychiatric condition with limited research in Middle Eastern populations.
- Understanding the prevalence and correlates of TTM in Saudi Arabia is crucial for public health initiatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and associated factors of TTM in a community sample in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
- To investigate the frequency of hair-pulling behaviors and their characteristics within this population.
Main Methods:
- An observational, cross-sectional study involving 511 adults in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
- Demographic data and psychiatric history were collected, and the Massachusetts General Hospital Hair-Pulling Scale (MGH-HPS) was used to assess TTM symptoms.
Main Results:
- 1.8% of participants (9/511) screened positive for TTM using the MGH-HPS.
- A history of hair-pulling was reported by 39.7% of participants.
- Suspected TTM was more prevalent in females (2.8% vs. 0.4% in males) and potentially linked to a history of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Conclusions:
- While a history of hair-pulling is common (39.7%), diagnosed TTM is less prevalent (<2%) in this Saudi Arabian community.
- TTM appears more common in women and may be associated with OCD.
- Further research is needed to understand TTM in this demographic.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
186
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterized by recurrent obsessions, compulsions, or both, which consume significant time and interfere with daily functioning. Obsessions involve persistent, intrusive, and unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that evoke anxiety. Common examples include irrational fears of contamination or harm. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce the anxiety caused by obsessions. For instance, individuals...
186
01:28Anorexia Nervosa
173
Anorexia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of weight gain, an unrelenting pursuit of thinness, and a distorted body image. It often leads to dangerously low body weight relative to an individual's age and height. This disorder is marked by significant physical and psychological consequences, making it one of the most life-threatening psychiatric illnesses.
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
173
01:30Generalized Anxiety Disorder
180
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a chronic condition characterized by excessive and uncontrollable worry that persists for at least six months, significantly interfering with daily functioning. Unlike situational anxiety, which arises in response to specific stressors, GAD often occurs without a clear cause. Individuals may experience disproportionate worry about work, health, or relationships. For instance, a person might continuously fear poor health despite normal medical evaluations or...
180
01:18Anxiety: Overview
332
Anxiety is a common mental disorder featuring excessive worry, fear, and apprehension, significantly affecting daily life. People with anxiety disorders experience persistent and intense anxiety, interrupting their everyday functioning.
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
332
01:30Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
148
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
148
01:30Dissociative Identity Disorder
177
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), previously termed multiple personality disorder, is a complex psychological condition characterized by the presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states. Each identity exhibits unique patterns of behavior, voice, and mannerisms and may possess separate memories and emotional responses. The alternating control between identities can result in memory gaps and challenges in recalling daily activities, often exacerbating the individual's...
177