Consumer advocacy meetings: an innovative therapeutic tool.

BACKGROUND

Consumer advocacy groups are fulfilling an increasingly important role in psychiatry. The Trichotillomania Learning Center (TLC) aims to improve the quality of life of individuals with body-focused repetitive behavioral (BFRB) disorders such as trichotillomania (hair pulling disorder [HPD]) and skin picking disorder. The annual TLC retreat is an educational event focused on experiential learning and building a supportive community.

METHODS

We assessed attendees' impressions of and experiences from the 2010 TLC retreat.

RESULTS

Sixty-two (57 female; mean age: 32.4, standard deviation: 14.6) attendees completed the survey. Fifty-five reported ≥1 current BFRBs, 6 were family members of attendees, and 1 participant reported HPD in remission. Most attendees found the TLC retreat to be a helpful intervention that offered support and information on BFRB disorders. Attendance was accompanied by reduced stigma, shame, and loneliness. Attendance also increased many respondents' levels of motivation to stop pulling or picking (85%); 61% of respondents reported reduced pulling or picking. Most respondents (95%) reported learning new ways of managing the condition.

CONCLUSIONS

Survey findings suggested most attendees found the annual TLC retreat to be a helpful intervention. The retreat may serve as a novel and innovative model for helping individuals suffering from a range of other psychiatric disorders.