Trichotillomania Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of Hair-Pulling Disorder

📚 Quick Study Guide

• 🧠 Definition: Trichotillomania is a mental disorder characterized by the recurrent, irresistible urge to pull out hair from the scalp, eyebrows, or other areas of the body, despite repeated attempts to stop.
• 🔍 Diagnostic Criteria (DSM-5):
  • A. Recurrent pulling out of one's hair, resulting in noticeable hair loss.
  • B. Repeated attempts to decrease or stop hair pulling.
  • C. The hair pulling causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
  • D. The hair pulling or hair loss is not attributable to another medical condition (e.g., dermatological condition).
  • E. The hair pulling is not better explained by the symptoms of another mental disorder.
• 🧬 Etiology: The exact cause is unknown, but it's believed to be a combination of genetic, neurological, and behavioral factors.
• 💡 Common Triggers: Stress, anxiety, boredom, and specific routines.
• 📈 Prevalence: Estimated to affect 1-2% of the population.
• 🧪 Treatment Options: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Habit Reversal Training (HRT), and sometimes medication (SSRIs, etc.).
• 📝 Comorbidity: Often occurs with other mental health disorders like anxiety, depression, and OCD.

Practice Quiz

1. Which of the following is the primary characteristic of Trichotillomania?
   1. A. Recurrent skin picking
   2. B. Recurrent hair pulling resulting in hair loss
   3. C. Recurrent nail biting
   4. D. Recurrent teeth grinding
2. According to the DSM-5 criteria, what must the hair pulling cause to be diagnosed as Trichotillomania?
   1. A. Mild annoyance
   2. B. Fleeting moments of sadness
   3. C. Clinically significant distress or impairment
   4. D. Occasional feelings of guilt
3. Which of the following is a commonly used therapy for treating Trichotillomania?
   1. A. Psychoanalysis
   2. B. Habit Reversal Training (HRT)
   3. C. Primal Scream Therapy
   4. D. Dream Analysis
4. Which of these factors is believed to contribute to the development of Trichotillomania?
   1. A. Solely genetic factors
   2. B. Solely environmental factors
   3. C. Combination of genetic, neurological, and behavioral factors
   4. D. Solely dietary factors
5. What is a common trigger for hair-pulling behavior in individuals with Trichotillomania?
   1. A. Excitement
   2. B. Relaxation
   3. C. Boredom
   4. D. Happiness
6. Trichotillomania often occurs with which other mental health disorders?
   1. A. Schizophrenia only
   2. B. Anxiety, depression, and OCD
   3. C. Bipolar disorder only
   4. D. Autism only
7. What percentage of the population is estimated to be affected by Trichotillomania?
   1. A. 5-10%
   2. B. 1-2%
   3. C. 15-20%
   4. D. 25-30%