Comparison of clinical characteristics in trichotillomania and obsessive-compulsive disorder

J Anxiety Disord. 2001 Sep-Oct;15(5):433-41. doi: 10.1016/s0887-6185(01)00074-3.

Abstract

Fifteen patients with trichotillomania (TM) and 25 patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) were studied. All patients were evaluated using the structured clinical interview for DSM-III-R (SCID-P). TM and OCD patients were compared with respect to demographic variables and the scores obtained from the various scales. The TM group had a greater percentage of women and showed an earlier age at onset. There was no significant difference for depression and anxiety assessed with the STAI, HRSA, and HRSD between the groups. Compared to OCD patients, TM patients had significantly lower scores on the Y-BOCS. The two groups were similar on the measures of resistance to and control of the hair pulling/compulsive symptoms. We found significantly higher incidence of anxiety and depressive disorders, and Axis II personality disorders for OCD patients. These findings are discussed in the view of results from earlier reports.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / complications*
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / psychology
  • Personality Assessment / statistics & numerical data
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / statistics & numerical data
  • Psychometrics
  • Sex Factors
  • Trichotillomania / psychology*