Treating Trichotillomania (Hair-Pulling Disorder) in a Child.

ABSTRACT

Although cognitive behavioral treatments (CBTs) have been recommended as first-line interventions for trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder [HPD]), research on CBT for young children with HPD is limited. We illustrate the use of family-based CBT for HPD in an 8-year-old boy. The client had a 5-year history of chronic HPD and several large bald spots on the crown of his head. Treatment primarily comprised habit reversal training (HRT) and function-based interventions. The child showed significant improvement in HPD severity and impairment after 8 weekly sessions, although complete abstinence was not achieved. The findings underscore the importance of parental involvement in the treatment and show that children as young as 8 years of age can successfully use strategies taught in HRT.