THE ASSESSMENT OF TRICHOTILLOMANIA

Trichotillomania is a disorder characterized by hair-pulling and resul ting hair loss. Hair is usually pulled from the scalp, eyelashes, eyeb rows, beard, and pubic area. Sufferers often resort to wearing wigs or elaborate hair styles and make-up to camouflage bald patches. It occu rs more frequently in women and is associated with considerable distre ss. The two treatments of choice currently are pharmacotherapy and cog nitive-behavioral therapy. The choice of assessment procedures include s self-monitoring, saving hairs, interview, observational rating, digi tal photograph and computer scoring, significant others' report, and s tandardized measures. Goals of assessment in trichotillomania and adva ntages and disadvantages of assessment procedures are discussed. The T richotillomania Diagnostic Interview is presented as a standardized di agnostic interview.