Cited by 252Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum DisordersHair Growth and DisordersBody Image and Dysmorphia Studies

Trichotillomania

Open access
Grant, Jon E., Chamberlain, Samuel R.·2016·American Journal of Psychiatry

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 19(th) 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.

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Registry

Crossref · 10.1176/appi.ajp.2016.15111432

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57 of 57 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • The most common sites pulled in trichotillomania include the scalp, eyebrows, and eyelashes, although pulling from other areas of the body is common.

    “The most common sites pulled include the scalp, eyebrows, and eyelashes; although, pulling from other areas of the body is common.[11]”

    From Trichotillomania (hair pulling disorder) (2019) · cites this paper as [11]

    The Clinical Description identifies the scalp (72.8%) and eyebrows (56.4%) as the two most common sites and says pulling can occur at any bodily region with hair. It names the pubic region (50.7%), not the eyelashes, as the next most common site, so the full list in the claim is not supported. (LLM, conf=0.90)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Pulling from multiple sites is not uncommon and pulling episodes can last from a few minutes to several hours.

    “Pulling from multiple sites is not uncommon and pulling episodes can last from a few minutes to several hours.[11]”

    From Trichotillomania (hair pulling disorder) (2019) · cites this paper as [11]

    The Clinical Description (page unavailable) reports substantial percentages of patients pulling from the scalp, eyebrows, and pubic region, consistent with pulling from multiple sites being not uncommon. The Case Vignette (page unavailable) describes one patient pulling for one to two hours each day and, after treatment, for 5–10 minutes every several days. It does not establish that individual pulling episodes generally range from a few minutes to several hours. (LLM, conf=0.82)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • The onset of hair pulling is generally in late childhood or early adolescence.

    “The onset of hair pulling is generally in late childhood or early adolescence.[11]”

    From Trichotillomania (hair pulling disorder) (2019) · cites this paper as [11]

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Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. [11]Christenson GA Mansueto CS Trichotillomania: Descriptive characteristics and phenomenology, in Trichotillomania Stein DJ Christianson GA Hollander E Washington, DC American Psychiatric Press 1999 1 41

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Authors
Grant, J. E., & Chamberlain, S. R.
Affiliations
University of Cambridge (GB)
Venue
American Journal of Psychiatry
Published
2016-09-01
Volume
173
Issue
9
Pages
868-874
ISSN
  • 0002-953X (ISSN-L)
  • 1535-7228
OpenAlex
W4239452805
Cited by
252
References
57
Citations by year
2026: 23 · 2025: 37 · 2024: 25 · 2023: 26 · 2022: 31 · 2021: 49 · 2020: 26 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 1
FWCI
15.49
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • American Journal of Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • ePrints Soton (University of Southampton) (submittedVersion)
Funders
Wellcome Trust (110,049/Z/15/Z, 110049)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Urology › Hair Growth and Disorders
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Body Image and Dysmorphia Studies
Keywords
trichotillomania, hair pulling, hair loss, obsessive-compulsive disorder, prevalence, habit reversal therapy, N-acetylcysteine, olanzapine, treatment options, DSM-5 classification
MeSH terms
Female, Humans, Psychotherapy, Trichotillomania, Young Adult

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