Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Trichotillomania

The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy for patients with trichotillomania.

Following entry into the study, subjects will be randomized into a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or a minimized attention control (MAC) condition. Subjects will be assessed with the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ), the Affective Regulation Rating (ARR), the Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS-11), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Clinical Global Impressions Scale (CGI), the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), Hair Pulling Scale (HPS), Trichotillomania (TTM) Impact Scale, Psychiatric Institute Trichotillomania Scale (PITS), National Institute of Mental Health Trichotillomania Severity Scale(NIMH-TSS), the Generalized Expectancy for Negative Mood Regulation Scale (NMR), The Milwaukee Inventory for Subtypes of Trichotillomania- Adult Version (MIST-A), the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS), the Quality of Life Inventory (QOLI), the Readiness to Change Hairpulling Behavior (RCHPB), the Self-Esteem Scale (SES), the Skin Picking Scale (SPS) and the Scales of Psychological Well-Being (SPWB). Subject randomization to a treatment arm will be determined by a random number generator.

Subject change scores will be assessed for the above scales.

Inclusion criteria

• primary DSM-IV diagnosis of TTM
• outpatients who are 18 or older
• a minimum MGHHPS total scale score of 10
• a minimum TTM symptom duration of 1 year with no significant remissions (as defined by complete abstinence of hair extraction for a 2-week period during the prior 6 months)

Exclusion criteria

• presence of a serious psychiatric condition including mental retardation, psychosis, pervasive developmental disorder, organic mental disorders, manic episode, ADHD, suicidality, lifetime alcohol or substance dependence, or alcohol or substance abuse within the past 3 months
• presence of a serious medical condition that would limit ability to routinely attend sessions and complete homework assignments
• individual or group psychotherapy (not addressing TTM) that has not been ongoing for the past 3 months and/or without intent to continue same treatment during study tenure)
• previous CBT for TTM
• involvement in other treatment for TTM
• psychotropic medication that has not been stable for 3 months prior to study enrollment and/or without intent to continue same medication regimen during study tenure)