Trichotillomania: impact on psychosocial functioning and quality of life

This study explored the impact of hair pulling on psychosocial functioning for patients diagnosed with trichotillomania (TTM; n=28). TTM patients were compared to age and gender-matched groups of psychiatric patients without TTM (n=28) and nonpsychiatric control volunteers (NC, n=28) on measures of psychological distress, functioning/quality of life, and self-esteem. Results indicated that TTM patients reported more severe psychosocial impairments than did NC volunteers; however, these differences were mediated by differences in level of depression. Regression analyses indicated significant relationships between some measures of psychosocial functioning and severity of hair pulling, independent of level of depression. Finally, an interview of the impact of hair pulling on 6 domains of daily functioning (negative affect/negative self-evaluations, grooming, recreational activities, social interaction, work/housework productivity, and physical health) indicated common and wide-ranging impairments for both lifetime and current (i.e., past week) ratings. These results highlight the importance of promoting and improving resources for the clinical care of TTM patients, and provide some directions for clinicians to enhance assessment of interference caused by TTM.