Which of the following is a key difference between Trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder) and Excoriation Disorder (skin-picking disorder)?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Trichotillomania involves recurrent hair pulling, whereas Excoriation Disorder involves recurrent skin picking — that is the principal distinguishing feature.

1. Relevant knowledge points and concepts
- Both disorders are classified as body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs) in DSM-5 and share features such as repetitive damaging behavior, attempts to stop, and associated distress or impairment.
- Trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder) specifically targets hair (scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, body hair).
- Excoriation (skin-picking) disorder specifically targets the skin (face, arms, hands, etc.), producing lesions, scabs, or scarring.
- Typical phenomenology: tension or urge precedes the act, with relief or pleasure after, and behaviors can be automatic or focused.

2. Step-by-step reasoning
- Identify the core action in each disorder: pulling out hair versus picking at skin.
- Match each answer choice to the diagnostic and phenomenological definitions above.
- The statement “Trichotillomania primarily involves removal of hair, while excoriation disorder involves removal of skin” directly aligns with the DSM-5 descriptions and common clinical presentations.
- Other choices either invert these core actions or introduce inaccurate contrasts about motive or outcomes.

3. Intermediate points (no calculations required)
- Both disorders may be associated with anxiety reduction, but neither is principally defined as a cosmetic-motivated behavior.
- Both can cause medical or cosmetic consequences; for example, excoriation often causes visible scarring, but trichotillomania can also cause permanent hair loss in some cases.

4. Why the correct answer is correct
- The correct answer states the primary behavioral target for each disorder (hair vs. skin), which is the fundamental diagnostic distinction.

5. Why other options are incorrect
- Option claiming excoriation is aimed at a cosmetic result and trichotillomania relieves anxiety is misleading: both can be automatic or anxiety-relieving and are not defined by a cosmetic goal.
- The swapped option (hair vs. skin reversed) is factually wrong.
- The option saying only excoriation typically scars and trichotillomania rarely does is inaccurate because both can produce permanent damage; the key difference remains the target (hair vs skin).

Conclusion: The correct answer is “Trichotillomania primarily involves the removal of hair, while excoriation disorder involves the removal of skin,” matching the provided answer.

Which of the following is a key difference between Trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder) and Excoriation Disorder (skin-picking disorder)?Single choice

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