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Trichotillomania.

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

Repository DOI


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Type

Article

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Authors

Grant, JE 
Chamberlain, SR 

Abstract

Trichotillomania, characterized by the repetitive pulling out of one’s own hair leading to hair loss and functional impairment, has been documented in the medical literature since the 19th century, but has received scant research attention. Community prevalence studies suggest that trichotillomania is a common disorder with point prevalence estimate of 0.5% to 2.0%. Although recently grouped with OCD in the DSM-5, clinicians need to be aware that trichotillomania and OCD may have less in common than originally thought. In fact, approaches to treating trichotillomania, which include habit reversal therapy and medication (n-acetyl cysteine or olanzapine), are quite different from those used to treat OCD; and some first-line treatments used for OCD appear ineffective for trichotillomania. Based on our clinical experience and research findings, the article recommends several management approaches to trichotillomania.

Description

Keywords

Female, Humans, Psychotherapy, Trichotillomania, Young Adult

Journal Title

American Journal of Psychiatry

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0002-953X
1535-7228

Volume Title

173

Publisher

American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc.
Sponsorship
Academy of Medical Sciences (unknown)
Wellcome Trust (110049/Z/15/Z)
Dr. Grant has received research grants from NIDA, National Center for Responsible Gaming, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and Forest and Roche Pharmaceuticals Dr. Grant receives yearly compensation from Springer Publishing for acting as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Gambling Studies and has received royalties from Oxford University Press, American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc., Norton Press, Johns Hopkins University Press, and McGraw Hill. Dr. Chamberlain consults for Cambridge Cognition. Dr. Chamberlain’s research is supported by a grant from the Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS, UK).