Hair-Related Dysmorphophobia: A Mini-Review

Hair-related dysmorphophobia, or hair-related body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), is a psychiatric condition where individuals are obsessively concerned with perceived hair defects that are not noticeable to others, leading to significant distress and impairment. This mini-review highlights that 29.6% of patients seeking treatment for hair loss meet the criteria for BDD, a prevalence much higher than the 2.7% in general dermatology patients. Early recognition is crucial to prevent unnecessary treatments and to provide appropriate psychotherapeutic and pharmacological interventions. The disorder severely affects quality of life, with high rates of depression, anxiety, and social impairment. Treatment typically involves cognitive-behavioral therapy and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Future research should aim to develop specific assessment and treatment protocols for hair-related BDD and explore cultural and social influences on hair appearance standards.