What is the correct diagnosis for a child exhibiting trichotillomania?

Trichotillomania, characterized by the repetitive pulling out of one's hair, is classified as an obsessive-compulsive and related disorder in the DSM-5. Children with trichotillomania often experience a strong urge to pull out their hair, which is typically driven by anxiety or tension that relief is sought through the act of pulling. This compulsion aligns with the broader framework of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), in which individuals frequently engage in certain behaviors to alleviate anxiety or distress associated with intrusive thoughts. In the case of trichotillomania, the hair-pulling serves as a maladaptive coping mechanism for managing anxiety, making the diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder the most appropriate choice compared to the other options listed.

Generalized anxiety disorder involves persistent and excessive worry, but it does not typically include the specific behavior of hair-pulling as a primary symptom. Similarly, while attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can involve impulsivity that might lead to behaviors like hair-pulling, it does not encompass the specific compulsive nature that characterizes trichotillomania. Major depressive disorder, while it may coexist with trichotillomania, does not have the unique features and compulsive tendencies of hair-pulling