Sara Sharifipour, Mohammad Hassan Dvazdahemami, Maryam Bakhtiari, Abolfazl Mohamadi, Mohesn Saberi,
Volume 8, Issue 2 (Volume 8, Number 2 2017)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Trichotillomania (hair pulling disorder) is a chronic disorder, characterized by frequent hair pulling leading to hair loss. This disorder despite having multiple physical, economic and social consequences, is less likely to be diagnosed and treated. In the present study, we investigated the efficacy of emotion regulation therapy (ERT) on symptom’s severity, anxiety, depression, stress and quality of life in individuals with trichotillomania.
Methods: Six patients were selected by available sampling method, and Massachusettes General Hospital (MGH-HPS) scale, Depression, Anxiety, Stress-DASS-21 scale, WHOQOL-26 Quality of Life questionnaire, and DERS Emotion Regulation questionnaire were used. Gross 8-session protocol (each session 90 minutes) was delivered on a weekly basis for each participant individually. Data were analyzed by visual analysis, percent of recovery, Freidman nonparametric test and Wilcoxon test.
Results: ERT lead to significant reduction in symptoms of hair pulling, depression, anxiety, stress, difficulty in regulating emotion and improved quality of life in patients with trichotillomania.
Conclusion: ERT significantly improves emotional problems and symptoms of hair pulling in the patients with trichotillomania. As a result, this treatment can be used as an effective treatment for this disorder.
