Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Neuroscience, Neurology, and Psychiatry 2025 (ICONAP 2025)

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Hair-Pulling as a Coping Mechanism: A Case Report of Trichotillomania with Anxiety Features

Authors
Novi Yanti1, M. Surya Husada1, *
1Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, 20155, Sumatera Utara, Indonesia
*Corresponding author. Email: suryahusada03@gmail.com
Corresponding Author
M. Surya Husada
Available Online 25 December 2025.
DOI
10.2991/978-94-6463-966-7_19How to use a DOI?
Keywords
Hair-pulling disorder; Trichotillomania; obsessive-compulsive disorder; cognitive behavioral therapy
Abstract

Hair-pulling disorder, also referred to as Trichotillomania, is a psychiatric condition characterized by recurrent, irresistible urges to pull out one’s hair, leading to noticeable hair loss and significant psychological distress. In the DSM-5, it is classified under obsessive–compulsive and related disorders. Hair pulling may involve the scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows, or other body regions, and is often precipitated by stress, boredom, or anxiety, functioning as a maladaptive coping mechanism. Although its precise etiology remains unclear, current evidence suggests a multifactorial origin involving environmental, neurobiological, and genetic factors. Diagnosis is primarily clinical, relying on patient history and symptom presentation. Management typically includes cognitive–behavioral therapy, with habit reversal training as the first-line intervention, while pharmacological treatment may be considered in selected cases. Early recognition and individualized therapy are essential for optimizing clinical outcomes and mitigating the psychosocial burden of the disorder.

Copyright
© 2025 The Author(s)
Open Access
Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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Volume Title
Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Neuroscience, Neurology, and Psychiatry 2025 (ICONAP 2025)
Series
Advances in Health Sciences Research
Publication Date
25 December 2025
ISBN
978-94-6463-966-7
ISSN
2468-5739
DOI
10.2991/978-94-6463-966-7_19How to use a DOI?
Copyright
© 2025 The Author(s)
Open Access
Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

Cite this article

risenwbib
TY  - CONF
AU  - Novi Yanti
AU  - M. Surya Husada
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2025/12/25
TI  - Hair-Pulling as a Coping Mechanism: A Case Report of Trichotillomania with Anxiety Features
BT  - Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Neuroscience, Neurology, and Psychiatry 2025 (ICONAP 2025)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 124
EP  - 129
SN  - 2468-5739
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6463-966-7_19
DO  - 10.2991/978-94-6463-966-7_19
ID  - Yanti2025
ER  -