Cognitive behavioral treatment of trichotillomania in youth: What went right and what went wrong?

Abstract

This is the third presentation of case material for the Cognitive and Behavioral Practice Case Conference series. Ralph M. Turner, Editor of Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, first introduced the Case Conference in volume 5 (issue 2). The format for this presentation varies somewhat. Instead of a focus on one patient, we have chosen to focus on one particular problem and present two very different cases for review. Further, this presentation introduces child and adolescent cases into the series. The response papers will include a critique of our assessment and treatment plans. Most importantly, the respondents will provide their own conceptualization of the issues impacting treatment and offer suggestions for further work in this area with similar cases. The case presentations involve two youths suffering with trichotillomania. One child is a 7-year-old male, the other a 15-year-old female. We begin with an overview of the problem and the behavioral treatment approach, followed by the case presentations.