A Qualitative Study Exploring International Experiences of Seeking Treatment for Adults With Trichotillomania: A Story of Frustration and Unmet Need

Abstract

Trichotillomania (TTM) is a poorly understood disorder with no consensus on aetiology or epidemiology; often overlooked due to high comorbidity rates. Cross-cultural qualitative research is sparse; therefore, an international qualitative study was conducted. A generic qualitative approach with thematic analysis was used to explore data from asynchronous email interviews. The aim of this article is to report participant experiences of seeking treatment. Using a sample of 20 adults (18–55 years) from 15 different countries, this article highlights lack of access and unmet healthcare needs signifying an inadequate supply of TTM expertise globally and the need for more robust clinical guidance.