[Psychotrichological disorders-hair and the psyche in the biopsychosocial context]

Psychotrichological disorders play an important role in dermatological practice. The biopsychosocial model provides a fundamental framework for understanding the causal, triggering, and accompanying psychological factors associated with hair and hair loss disorders.

Psychological symptoms and comorbidities are common among patients with hair disorders, particularly hair loss disorders, and represent a significant challenge in clinical practice. Understanding the close relationship between psychological factors and hair disorders provides the basis for a biopsychosocial management approach that considers biological, psychological, and social factors.

An overview of common psychotrichological disorders, key psychological symptoms and comorbidities, and biopsychosocial management strategies is provided.

Hair and hair loss disorders highlight the close bidirectional relationship between the hair and scalp and psychological health. Psychological comorbidities, psychosocial burden, and impaired quality of life are common among patients with hair and hair loss disorders, and should therefore be identified early, systematically assessed, and treated as clinically indicated. Psychotrichological disorders can broadly be classified into primary mental disorders affecting the hair and hair growth and primary hair disorders with secondary effects on mental health.

A biopsychosocial and interdisciplinary treatment approach forms the basis of patient-centered care. Early assessment of psychological distress and its integration into diagnosis and treatment may contribute to improved treatment outcomes, coping with the condition, and quality of life.