Assessment and treatment of trichotillomania (hair pulling disorder) and excoriation (skin picking) disorder

Publication date: Available online 19 September 2018

Source: Clinics in Dermatology

Author(s): Grant Jones, Nancy Keuthen, Erica Greenberg

Abstract

Recommendations are provided for the assessment and treatment of trichotillomania (hair pulling disorder, or HPD) and excoriation disorder (skin picking disorder, or SPD), two body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRB) disorders, based on their severity, comorbidities, and behavioral style. Habit reversal training (HRT) and stimulus control are first-line behavioral treatments that can be used in cases of all severity levels and may be particularly helpful when pulling or picking is performed with lowered awareness/intention. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) are behavioral treatments that can be employed to augment HRT/stimulus control, especially when negative emotions trigger the pulling or picking. There are currently no FDA-approved pharmacologic treatments for HPD or SPD, though certain medications/supplements have shown varying degrees of efficacy in trials. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) should be considered for all severity levels and styles given its moderate gain/low side effect profile. Other pharmacologic interventions, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), should be considered in cases with significant comorbidities or previous behavioral/NAC treatment failure.