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Review
. 2015 Apr 7:8:105-13.
doi: 10.2147/PRBM.S53977. eCollection 2015.

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

Ivar Snorrason  1 , Gregory S Berlin  1 , Han-Joo Lee  1
Affiliations
Review

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

Ivar Snorrason et al. Psychol Res Behav Manag. .

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: cognitive-behavioral therapy; diagnosis; hair-pulling; review; trichotillomania.

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References

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