Treatment Strategies for Pediatric Trichotillomania: State-of-the-Art Review on Progress and Persistent Challenges

This systematic review of pediatric trichotillomania (TTM) treatment strategies highlights habit reversal training (HRT) as the most effective behavioral intervention, supported by studies like Rahman et al. (n=40) and Rautio et al. (n=63). While pharmacological treatments such as SSRIs and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) have shown mixed results, they are not recommended as first-line treatments. The review underscores the importance of early behavioral intervention and family support due to the significant psychosocial impact of TTM and the high rates of comorbid mental health disorders. It calls for larger, controlled studies to develop standardized treatment protocols and explore new therapeutic options.