Treatments for trichotillomania yield mixed results, but does that mean they work or they don’t? A recent study sought to answer that very question.

Research About Research

Multiple studies continue to measure the effectiveness of treatments ranging from pharmaceuticals to therapy. Sometimes the press releases will announce something works, while others report “mixed results.” Let’s take a few moments to demystify the ambiguity of “treatment response.”

In simple terms, treatment response is a measurement used by clinicians and researchers to determine if an intervention works. There are statistics involved, and some of them get pretty complicated. The challenge with results and treatment responses is that an intervention can work yet not yield enough of a treatment response to be called effective. Also, there are many definitions of effective, not to mention the difference in the types of people for which an intervention is effective.

A report published in the Anatolian Journal of Psychiatry in October 2018, presented a case of trichotillomania that manifested during posttraumatic stress disorder suggesting a possible genetic link between the two.

The patient came to the attention of researchers when he presented to an emergency psychiatric clinic for anxiety, depression, irritability, aggression, and pulling out his hair from various parts of his body. At 20 years old, this young man never showed signs of previous trichotillomania or mental illness. However, his best friend died in a car accident the previous year and viewing his friend's damaged body contributed to the development of PTSD. His anxiety, nightmares, emotional stress and hair pulling all started after viewing his deceased friend.

To put it simply, research makes the treatment world go round. Effective treatments based on credible information need to come from the results of research and research needs participants. This article will explain why research is so important for the BFRB community.

To improve understanding about BFRBs

Before treatments can be developed, first we must understand that which needs treatment. When considering the history of BFRBs or any other mental illness, there is a long trajectory of misunderstanding. For example, BFRBs were once considered a “bad habit” and treatment sought to teach people strategies to counter the habit. Then, the research groups that developed the DSM-5 that was released in 2013 found enough evidence to group BFRBs within the obsessive-compulsive spectrum of disorders. In the past five years, however, new research indicates that BFRBs have traits like tic disorders which makes a difference for treatment. Ultimately, every bit of research leads to more information that helps us understand disorders so that people who suffer from them can get help.

Have you ever taken pictures of your hair to keep track of how much hair you lose over time due to pulling? It is a technique that research says is effective for assessment and evaluation, but did you know it can be used to show progress in treatment?   

A study conducted in 2016 set out to find out if taking photos of someone during treatment for trichotillomania had any effect on behaviors or quality of life. There were some difficulties setting up this study so it conformed with parameters of a well-designed study. However, those who took before and after pictures during treatment demonstrated a positive response to using photos. Whether the photos themselves had any impact on a person’s pulling behaviors is unknown, but those who saw visible progress reported feeling better about treatment.