Comprehensive Behavioral Treatment for Trichotillomania (Hair Pulling Disorder) and Excoriation (Skin Picking) Disorder

doi:10.1017/9781108355605.019

16 - Comprehensive Behavioral Treatment for Trichotillomania (Hair Pulling Disorder) and Excoriation (Skin Picking) Disorder

from Part Three - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Associated Disorders

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 06 January 2022

Charles S. Mansueto

Edited by

Gillian Todd and

Rhena Branch

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Gillian Todd: Affiliation:
University of East Anglia
Rhena Branch: Affiliation:
University of East Anglia

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Summary

Both hair pulling disorder (trichotillomania) and skin picking disorder (excoriation disorder) are legitimate clinical disorders that are neither rare nor benign. For almost half a century, habit reversal training (HRT) has dominated the clinical literature as treatment for these body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs), yet clinicians and researchers have recognized the limitations of this treatment and have utilized numerous treatment modifications in attempts to bolster its effectiveness. Comprehensive behavioral (ComB) treatment, a newer approach to BFRB treatment, has been described in professional publications and is widely used by expert BFRB clinicians The ComB treatment model provides a guiding, comprehensive, conceptual framework that encompasses and integrates sensory, cognitive, affective, motor, and environmental variables into an individualized treatment package geared to the unique clinical phenomenology of each patient. In this chapter, ComB treatment is described in detail and an illustrative case highlights its unique advantages over other BFRB treatments.

Keywords

trichotillomania excoriation disorder hair pulling disorder skin picking disorder body-focused repetitive behaviors comprehensive behavioral treatment for BFRBs ComB treatment

Information

Type: Chapter
Information: Evidence-Based Treatment for Anxiety Disorders and Depression
A Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Compendium
, pp. 316 - 340

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108355605.019 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2022

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