Annotation: Trichotillomania

Abstract

In spite of intriguing new information about trichotillomania, the most basic information about its prevalence, natural history, and treatment is lacking. While there is evidence that trichotillomania is more common than expected, epidemiological data are needed to establish the true frequency and pattern of associated disorders, and cross-cultural work would also be of great interest. The natural history of the disorder remains uncertain, although there are apparently both chronic and remitting forms, which may differ in age of onset and sex distribution. Finally (as with obsessive compulsive disorder), the relative effectiveness, and long-term benefits, of behavioral and drug treatments are not established. Child psychologists, psychiatrists and pediatricians need to be more aware of this disorder, as the misery from trichotillomania has been greatly under-recognized, and continued research could extend our understanding of developmental psychopathology.