Which disorder involves the recurrent pulling out of one's hair?

Trichotillomania is characterized by the recurrent and compulsive pulling out of one’s hair, which can lead to noticeable hair loss and distress. This behavior is often used as a coping mechanism to relieve tension or anxiety, and it may occur in various parts of the body, including the scalp, eyebrows, and eyelashes. The disorder is classified under the Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders in the DSM-5.

In contrast, hoarding disorder involves the persistent difficulty in discarding or parting with possessions, leading to significant clutter and impairment in functioning. Excoriation disorder, also known as skin picking disorder, is about compulsively picking at one’s skin, resulting in lesions or wounds. Body dysmorphic disorder is characterized by a preoccupation with perceived defects or flaws in physical appearance, which leads to significant emotional distress and behaviors aimed at changing the appearance. Each of these related disorders has distinct features, making trichotillomania uniquely identifiable by the act of hair pulling.