The effectiveness of habit reversal training with cognitive behavior therapy on quality of life and symptoms of trichotillomania patients

The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of Habit Reversal Training on Anxiety, Quality of life and Symptoms of Trichotillomania patients. This quasi experimental study was designed with pretest-posttest and control group.

The statistical population consisted of all female patients with trichotillomania disorder referring to the Mashhad medical clinics. A sample of 24 subjects had criteria for entering the research, were available selected and matched from age, educational status, not suffering from acute physical and mental disorder and other criteria considered in this research. Then randomly divided into two experimental (12) and control (12) groups. The experimental administered habit reversal training with cognitive behavior therapy for 8 sessions of 1 hour, while the control group did not receive such training. The data was analyzed by ANCOVA & MANCOVA test using SPSS-21.

The results showed that habit reversal training had a significant positive effect on quality of life, anxiety and symptoms of trichotillomania in experimental group in comparison with pretest and control group (P<0.001), so that the experimental group showed less symptoms of trichotillomania after the intervention and showed higher quality of life.

According to the results of this study, it can be concluded that habit reversal training has a positive effect on quality of life and symptoms of trichotillomania of patients with trichotillomania. Therefore, habit reversal training may be considered as one of the main treatments for this disorder. Practical Implications. Patients with Trichotillomania (TTM) have a high level of stress, which is often alleviated by the habit of hair loss. Cognitive-behavioral therapy combined with habit reversal has a positive effect on the quality of life of patients with Trichotillomania (TTM). Cognitive-behavioral therapy combined with habit reversal has a positive effect on symptoms of patients with Trichotillomania (TTM). The use of cognitive-behavioral with habit reversal interventions to strengthen the will of Trichotillomania (TTM) patients with drug therapy is recommended.