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

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.