Trichotillomania

The phenomenon of trichotillomania, or hair pulling, has been observed for centuries. The ancient Greek physician Hippocrates noted hair pulling as one of the many symptoms that the physician was advised to assess as routine matter. In modern culture, "pulling one's hair out" is more typically referred to in the context of depression, frustration, boredom, or emotional turmoil. In truth, hair pulling is a highly prevalent behaviour that may be associated with significant morbidity. This volume addresses the importance of the study of hair pulling from both a clinical and a research perspective. Documenting the clinical phenomenology, morbidity, and management of trichotillomania, it discusses the phenomenology of childhood trichotillomania, providing a comprehensive description of its symptoms and sequelae. Contributions on the assessment of trichotillomania and a detailed cognitive-behavioural treatment plan should be of particular value to the clinician. The use of medication, the place of a psychodynamic perspective, the value of behavioural interventions and the role of hypnotherapy are also discussed. This work documents the significance of research on trichotillomania for obtaining a broader understanding of complex brain-behaviour relationships. While research has suggested that hair pulling lies on the spectrum of obsessive-compulsive disorder, a range of evidence is presented that indicates important differences between trichotillomania and OCD.