Characteristics of trichotillomania and excoriation disorder across the lifespan

Author(s)

Lin, Ashley ; Farhat, Luis C. ; Flores, Jose M. ; Levine, Jessica L. S. ; Fernandez, Thomas, V ; Bloch, Michael H. ; Olfson, Emily

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH; v. 322, p. 8-pg., 2023-02-24.

Abstract

Trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder) and excoriation (skin-picking) disorder are body-focused repetitive behaviors, which often first present in adolescence and cause distress and impairment into adulthood. Few studies have examined the clinical characteristics of the co-occurrence of these conditions across the lifespan. We examined cross-sectional survey responses collected from April 2018-February 2020 to evaluate the relationship between trichotillomania, excoriation disorder, and their co-occurrence. Responses from individuals with trichotillomania (n = 50), excoriation disorder (n = 52), and both conditions (n = 50) ages 4-67 years old were compared for co-occurring conditions and current symptoms. Self-report measures of hair-pulling and skin -picking severity and subtypes were assessed. Gender, race, and co-occurring conditions were generally simi-larly distributed across the three groups with high rates of self-reported anxiety (63-82%), depression (34-50%), obsessive-compulsive disorder (16-29%), and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (12-32%). Among in-dividuals with both trichotillomania and excoriation disorder, significant positive correlations were observed between hair-pulling and skin-picking severity scores as well as hair-pulling and skin-picking subtypes. Hair -pulling and skin-picking severity peaked at the transition from adolescence to adulthood and hair-pulling/ skin-picking styles appeared to shift across the lifespan. Our results support several similarities between trichotillomania and excoriation disorder, providing new insight into the clinical characteristics of these conditions. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 21/08540-0 - Evaluation of the effects of treatment with methylphenidate compared with parental training in preschool children with ADHD on the path of cognitive, social, emotional and psychopathological development
• Grantee: Luis Carlos Farhat
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)