Trichotillomania: A Social Worker's Guide to Practice

Abstract

Trichotillomania is a behavioral disorder characterized by persons who are unable to resist pulling out their own hair. There has been a growing practice literature with such persons in disciplines other than social work during the last decade. Social workers need to become informed on how to assess and provide effective treatment for patients diagnosed with trichotillomania. This article provides a comprehensive review of the literature regarding the diagnosis, assessment, and empirically supported psychosocial methods of intervention that social workers can implement in practice.