Trichotillomania and self-esteem: a survey of 62 female hair pullers.

BACKGROUND

The psychological features of trichotillomania have received little empirical attention, despite the fact that sufferers commonly report negative self-image to be one of the most disturbing aspects of the disorder. We conducted the current study to identify specific factors that predict self-esteem problems in hair pullers.

METHOD: Sixty-two women with trichotillomania or repetitive hair pulling completed self-report forms assessing factors possibly related to self-esteem in hair pullers. The survey included questions related to demographics, hair-pulling symptoms, mood and anxiety symptoms, and body image concerns.

RESULTS

Self-esteem did not appear to be directly related to age at onset of hair pulling or severity of hair loss. However, self-esteem was related to level of depression, frequency of hair pulling, level of anxiety, and body dissatisfaction unrelated to hair pulling.

CONCLUSION

Several factors, including the frequency of hair pulling, are associated with low self- esteem in patients with trichotillomania. Specific efforts should be made to address these issues in treatment.