Trichotillomania: The Biology of Hair-Pulling Disorder
Understand the neurobiology behind compulsive hair-pulling and new therapeutic approaches to treat it.
Trichotillomania, or Hair-Pulling Disorder, affects 1–2% of adolescents and adults but is often misclassified as purely behavioral. A 2025 study in Translational Psychiatry mapped brain activity during compulsive episodes, revealing dysregulation in the reward circuitry.
- fMRI scans showed hyperactivity in the striatum and orbitofrontal cortex.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) reduced symptoms by 65% in 10 weeks.
- A new treatment, Habit Reversal Training Plus (HRT+), improved impulse control.
- Low-dose N-acetylcysteine showed potential in modulating glutamate imbalance.
By recognizing trichotillomania as a neurological condition, treatment can move beyond shame to science. These findings encourage compassion-driven interventions combining psychology and neuroscience.
fMRI studies are correlational and do not prove causation.
Citation & Review Team
Full Citation
Santos L. et al., Transl Psychiatry, 2025.Review Team
Author: Student Editor
Fact-Checker: Dermatology Researcher
Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice.