Trichotillomania
Synonyms
Short Description or Definition
Trichotillomania is characterized by recurrent hairpulling that causes noticeable hair loss and significant distress or impairment. A diagnosis of trichotillomania according to DSM-IV also requires that an individual sometimes experience urges prior to pulling and a sense of pleasure, gratification, or relief after pulling. Individuals who do not report urges prior to and a sense of relief after pulling are generally given a diagnosis of chronic hairpulling. Inability to report sensory phenomenon is common and developmentally appropriate in younger children; thus, there is a strong probability that these diagnostic criteria will be removed from future diagnostic criteria.
Categorization
Impulse Control Disorder
Epidemiology
Trichotillomania has an estimated lifetime prevalence of roughly 0.6%. However, the estimated lifetime prevalence increases to roughly 3% when preceding urges and pleasure/relief afterward are removed...
References and Readings
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- Swedo, S. E., Leonard, H. L., Rapoport, J. L., Lenane, M. C., Goldberger, E. L., & Cheslow, D. L. (1989). A double-blind comparison of clomipramine and desipramine in the treatment of trichotillomania (hair pulling). New England Journal of Medicine, 321(8), 497–501.PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
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