Trichotillomania: Group Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Group Treatment for Trichotillomania: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Versus Supportive Therapy

Objective: Trichotillomania is a psychiatric condition characterized by chronic pulling and plucking of one's own hair. Cognitive behavioral therapy shows promise as a treatment. However, there have been no randomized, controlled studies of the efficacy of group cognitive-behavioral therapy. Methods: We evaluated 44 subjects, whom met the criteria for a diagnosis of trichotillomania. Subjects were randomized to receive 22 sessions of either group cognitive-behavioral therapy or group supportive therapy (control).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients having been diagnosed with trichotillomania according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (DSM-IV) criteria; being at least 18 years of age; and having had four or more years of schooling.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients that having been diagnosed with trichotillomania according to DSM-IV criteria; having less of 18 years of age; and having less of four years of schooling.
• Patients with a history of suicidal ideation,
• Patients with any clinical pathology requiring emergency treatment at admission,
• Patients with mental retardation or any other central nervous system disorder that severely impairs cognitive function,
• those with a psychotic disorder,
• those currently being treated with psychotropic drugs,
• those with any DSM-IV axis II diagnosis,
• those who scored ≤ 2 on the MGH-HPS in an initial screening.