Trichotillomania: current issues in conceptualization and treatment.
Trichotillomania is a little-known disorder with wider prevalence and more significant consequences than previously believed. While sharing similarities with obsessive-compulsive disorder, compelling differences from it have also been noted. This fact, coupled with recognized overlap with other obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders, has resulted in the ongoing evolution of our conceptualization of this illness. While empirical evidence supports the use of behavioral treatment and pharmacotherapy, considerable research is still needed before we can promise highly effective interventions tailored to the individual hairpuller. This review will summarize the evidence supporting, as well as challenging, a hypothesized link with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Current treatment approaches will be reviewed, as well as evidence for their efficacy. Suggestions will be made for future directions in this field.
Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Mass., USA. Keuthen@psych.mgh.harvard.edu
N J
NJ
Keuthen
R L
RL
O'Sullivan
S
S
Sprich-Buckminster
D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D015897:Comorbidity; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005192:Family Health; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000145:classification / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D014256:Trichotillomania / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors