ABSTRACT

Objectives

Trichotillomania (TTM) is a clinical psychiatric condition in which significant hair loss occurs due to repeated hair pulling. However, TTM can result in significant distress and impairment in functionality, especially in a wide range of areas, including social and intimate relationships. The purpose of this study is to evaluate psychiatric diagnoses that provide general clinical features and characteristics in children and adolescents diagnosed with TTM and to compare them with a healthy group. In these cases, in addition to the diagnosis of TTM, study programs are based on the hypothesis that anxiety and other psychiatric disorders may also be present. This study aims to contribute to the current literature with the data obtained and to emphasize the importance of a holistic approach to TTM.

Materials and Methods

Forty-one children and adolescents aged 8-17 years diagnosed with TTM and being followed up with this diagnosis, along with 41 healthy cases without any additional chronic disease or psychiatric diagnosis, were included in the study. In the study, a socio-demographic data form, the Turkish version of the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children-Present and Lifetime Version the Revised Children’s Anxiety and Depression Scale-Child Version, and the Revised Anxiety and Depression Scale-Parent Version were used.

Results

It was determined that the most common hair-pulling behaviours involved the scalp, eyebrows and eyelashes. At least one lifetime psychiatric diagnosis was present in 37 cases (90.2%) and at least one current psychiatric diagnosis was present in 34 cases (82.9%). Anxiety disorders were the most common psychiatric comorbidities in current and lifetime co-diagnoses.

Conclusion

A holistic approach to TTM treatment is one of the most important points in the diagnosis and treatment of TTM.