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Abstract
Trichotillomania is a disorder characterized by hair-pulling and resulting hair loss.
Hair is usually pulled from the scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows, beard, and pubic area.
Sufferers often resort to wearing wigs or elaborate hair styles and make-up to camouflage
bald patches. It occurs more frequently in women and is associated with considerable
distress. The two treatments of choice currently are pharmacotherapy and cognitive-behavioral
therapy. The choice of assessment procedures includes self-monitoring, saving hairs,
interview, observational rating, digital photograph and computer scoring, significant
others' report, and standardized measures. Goals of assessment in trichotillomania
and advantages and disadvantages of assessment procedures are discussed. The Trichotillomania
Diagnostic Interview is presented as a standardized diagnostic interview.