Styles of pulling in trichotillomania: Exploring differences in symptom severity, phenomenology, and functional impact

Previous research has examined possible phenomenological differences between focused (i.e., with a compulsive quality) and automatic (i.e., with decreased awareness) pulling associated with trichotillomania (TTM), but these constructs have not been assessed using psychometrically sound measures. In the current study, differences in TTM severity, phenomenology, comorbid psychiatric symptoms, and functional impact were examined across individuals with varying combinations of focused and automatic pulling styles. Participants aged 18 and older were recruited via an internet-based survey. Those meeting inclusion criteria and completing the Milwaukee Inventory for Subtypes of Trichotillomania-Adult Version (MIST-A; n = 1545) were classified as either high- or low-focused and either high- or low-automatic based on scores obtained from the focused and automatic scales of the MIST-A using a median split procedure. Results showed some significant differences between pulling styles. For example, high-automatic pullers reported more severe TTM and greater stress than low-automatic pullers, and high-focused pullers reported more severe TTM, greater stress and depression, and greater functional impact than low-focused pullers. Subsequent analyses suggest that, in comparison to individuals experiencing low levels of both automatic and focused pulling, those experiencing high levels of each pulling style reported greater severity, psychological impact, and functional impact. Clinical and research implications, study limitations, and future areas of research are discussed. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.