ABSTRACT
Scalp hair is unique as a physical attribute in humans because it lends itself to nearly instantaneous transformation. Cultural influences and personal preferences dictate which particular hair characteristics, such as length, color, and texture, are considered desirable and attractive. Various styles and adornments are used to convey health, status, intelligence, and youthfulness. In a state of health, hair can be maintained with minimal effort
and is often taken for granted. When unwanted changes in hair are perceived, especially thinning and loss, the impact on psychological and social well-being can be dramatic. This occurs even with gradual hair loss associated with senescence and in those with a predisposition to androgenetic alopecia.1 On the other hand, emotional and psychological disturbances can manifest as disorders of the skin and hair. This chapter focuses on disorders of the hair which demonstrate
the complex interplay between physiology, psychology, and social sequelae. The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) was published in 2013.2
Several disorders related to dermatology are now included in the chapter “Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders,” including body dysmorphic disorder, hair-pulling disorder, and excoriation (skin-picking) disorder. This new classification scheme emphasizes the similarities of these dermatoses with obsessivecompulsive disorders and the overlap that is often seen between the conditions in this category.
