Treatment of trichotillomania with behavioral therapy or fluoxetine: a randomized, waiting-list controlled study.

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Publication year
2003Source
Archives of General Psychiatry, 60, 5, (2003), pp. 517-22ISSN
Publication type
Article / Letter to editor

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SW OZ BSI KLP
Psychiatry
Journal title
Archives of General Psychiatry
Volume
vol. 60
Issue
iss. 5
Page start
p. 517
Page end
p. 22
Subject
EBP 1: Determinants in Health and Disease; UMCN 3.2: Cognitive neurosciencesAbstract
BACKGROUND: Both behavioral therapy (BT) and serotonin reuptake inhibitors have been reported effective in the treatment of trichotillomania. This study examines the efficacy of BT and fluoxetine hydrochloride compared with a waiting-list (WL) control group. METHODS: Forty-three patients with trichotillomania entered a 12-week randomized, WL-controlled study of BT and fluoxetine (60 mg/d). Forty patients (14 in the BT group, 11 in the fluoxetine group, and 15 in the WL group) completed the trial. Treatment effects were evaluated using the Massachusetts General Hospital Hairpulling Scale, and severity of hair loss was rated by independent assessors. In addition, we measured general symptoms of psychopathologic abnormalities and depression. RESULTS: For reducing the symptoms of trichotillomania, BT was superior. Patients in the BT group showed a significantly greater reduction in trichotillomania symptoms, higher effect sizes (Massachusetts General Hospital Hairpulling Scale: BT, 3.80; fluoxetine, 0.42; and WL, 1.09), and more clinically significant changes (BT, 64%; fluoxetine, 9%; and WL, 20%) than patients in the fluoxetine and WL groups. For severity of hair loss, a similar trend was also found in favor of the BT group. No significant differences between groups were established for general psychopathologic and depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Behavioral therapy is highly effective for reducing symptoms of trichotillomania in the short term, whereas fluoxetine is not.
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- Academic publications [227881]
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- Faculty of Medical Sciences [86219]
- Faculty of Social Sciences [28471]
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