Twenty journal articles that examined the condition trichotillomania that are included in
national journal databases created for educators were reviewed by a special education
teacher. The articles were classified by publication type (e.g., empirical studies,
descriptive articles, guides). Fourteen of the 20 articles were empirical studies. The
studies were classified by research design (quantitative or mixed methods), the
participants and data sources were identified, and the findings were summarized. The
author analyzed the 20 articles utilizing a modified version of the Stevick-Collaizi-Keen
method to develop themes that represent the essence of the literature. The four themes
that emerged from the analysis include: (a) trichotillomania demographics; (b) social
behaviors associated with trichotillomania; (c) trichotillomania and the school
experience; and (d) trichotillomania treatments. The themes were connected to the role of
the author as a special education teacher. Finally, the author reflected upon the changes
the understanding illuminated by the analysis of the literature will have on his caree
