Functional Analysis of a Hair Pulling Behavior with a Trichotillomaniac Teenager: Placebo, Family, & Therapist Effects

The purpose of this study was to determine the function(s) of a hair-pulling behavior maintained for 12 years. The participant was a 16-year old teenager with a diagnosis of trichotillomania. During the initial analogue assessment, we tested the typical conditions, namely, Attention, No Contingent Attention, and Demand. Then, we evaluated the use an anesthetic cream and demonstrated a placebo effect of the cream in addition to an therapist’s effect by comparing the experimental conditions between family members and the therapist. Thus, our study underlined the complexity of conducting a functional analysis on a patient with a rare and complex pathology (i.e., trichotillomania). Treatment options are discussed according the results of the functional analysis.

Keywords: functional analysis, trichotillomania, placebo effect, therapist effect.