"The Hair Pulling 'Habit' and You: How to Solve the Trichotillomania Puzzle," by Ruth Golomb and Sherrie Vavrichek, is a long overdue and welcome addition to the field of popular psychiatry self-help books. This book offers education regarding trichotillomania, and practical, easily implemented techniques. It addresses one of the most underrecognized problems in psychiatry and offers much hope to one the most underserved clinical populations. What it has to offer is especially valuable given that many sufferers are either too ashamed of their problem to pursue professional intervention, or are unable to identify a knowledgeable professional in their area. This self-instructional text is easily readable and provides fun yet instructional exercises which demonstrate the major behavioral treatment techniques. The organization of the book is in a series of self-contained modules which succeed in breaking down what can be an overwhelming and complex problem into a series of simple, focused steps. This text fills a gaping void in the educational self-help literature available to chronic hair pullers. No doubt it will help alleviate the suffering of many of its victims. As a co-author (along with Drs. Stein and Christenson) of the newly published book "Help For Hair Pullers," I greatly appreciate the insight and clarity that these authors have brought to the field with regards to the treatment of trichotillomania in children and teens. Nancy Keuthen, Ph.D. Co-author of Help for Hair Pullers: Understanding and Coping With Trichotillomania Houston Medical School Co-director of the Trichotillomania Clinic at Massachusetts General Hospital Assistant Professor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School Scientific Advisory Member of the Trichotillomania Learning Center

At long last, a self-help book for young trichotillomania sufferers - one that is written in plain common-sense language and that allows each user to tailor the program to his or her own needs. The information is highly accessible to children, and is based upon the latest understandings of this serious disorder. As a member of the Science Advisory Board of the Trichotillomania Learning Center (a national organization for sufferers and professionals), I recommend this valuable workbook without hesitation, not only to my younger patients, but to parents and therapists as well. Frederick Penzel, Ph.D. Author of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders : A Complete Guide to Getting Well and Staying Well Director, Western Suffolk Psychological Services Huntington, New York Scientific Advisory Member of the Trichotillomania Learning Center

Professionals who study and treat trichotillomania and those who suffer from this often devastating disorder have long awaited a book such as this one. The procedures presented are based on state-of-the-art theories and techniques developed by the authors and their colleagues, nationally known experts who have led the field in creating sound, scientifically based treatments programs for trichotillomania. Although targeted primarily for young people who suffer from the disorder, the book also will be of significant value to parents and other relatives who often helplessly watch the devastating effects of this condition. Adult patients and mental health professionals also will benefit from this valuable resource. Melinda Stanley, Ph.D. Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences University of Texas, Houston Medical School Scientific Advisory Board Member of the Trichotillomania Learning Center

This book is an overwhelmingly positive answer to the question of how to manage trichotillomania. It is a first-of-its-kind effort that provides children and adolescents with increased knowledge about the disorder as well as numerous strategies for managing it. My congratulations to the authors for writing such a sensitive, understanding guide, one that is based on scientific knowledge and well established behavioral therapy techniques. Larry B. Silver, MD Author of The Misunderstood Child Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Georgetown University Medical Center Washington, D.C.