A comparison of clinical features in trichotillomania and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Trichotillomania (TM) recently has been conceptualized as a variant of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). However, no systematic data have compared the clinical features of these two disorders. Here we report data from 8 TM and 13 OCD patients which suggest important clinical differences between groups. First, TM patients reported a significantly greater degree of pleasure during hair-pulling than OCD patients reported during performance of ritualistic behaviors. Second, TM was accompanied by significantly fewer associated obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Third, the groups differed with regard to other clinical features including anxiety, depression, and personality characteristics. We conclude that TM is not conceptualized best as a variant of OCD.
Stanley
M A
MA
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Medical School, Houston 77030.
Swann
A C
AC
Bowers
T C
TC
Davis
M L
ML
Taylor
D J
DJ
D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D014256:Trichotillomania / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*