Hair loss can significantly impact an individual's psychological state, self-image, and can lead to numerous personal, social, and occupational problems. Although these impairments are well documented in primary studies and reviews, and the need for appropriate psychological help is emphasized, there is still a lack of knowledge for a broader and specific picture. The patient's perspective is vital while seeking to understand the content of the variables like "impaired body image" or "low self-esteem." This article advocates the need for studies involving methodologies allowing to explore the complexity and depth of experience. A better understanding of patients' states, reactions, and needs might contribute to the practice of healthcare professionals seeking the best possible help. This study aimed to explore the lived experience of people with alopecia areata in Lithuania using a phenomenological approach. Experiences of six patients with varying degrees of alopecia areata, four women and two men (mean age 27 years), were explored. Data were obtained using an unstructured interview and were analyzed based on Colaizzi's phenomenological approach. This article explores findings related to patient's psychological state covering two superordinate themes: (a) devastating loss of perceived self and (b) grieving and the process of acceptance. The insights for the appropriate therapeutic intervention were formulated.

Body Focused Repetitive Behavior Disorders (BFRBDs) are recurrent, compulsive, destructive behaviors directed towards the body. Although studies have demonstrated a 12.27%-13.7% prevalence rate, researchers found that dermatologists and psychiatrists show a lack of knowledge regarding psychodermatology resources and information about BFRBDs like trichotillomania (TTM). For treatments, there is a dearth of research investigating the clinical applications of various self-help training such as Decoupling (DC) and decoupling in sensu (DC-is) and Habit Reversal Training (HRT). HRT is a five-component behavioral intervention that aims to develop a competing response to a specific unwanted behavior. Many studies have found substantial support for HRT’s efficacy in treating a variety of maladaptive repetitive behaviors including onychotillomania, TTM, skin picking disorder, and chronic cheek biting. Additionally, many psychotherapies have augmented HRT. Psychotherapies include Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behavior therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy, mindfulness mediation, and cognitive psychophysiological model. A recently investigated variant of HRT, DC-is, had consistently satisfactory objective and subjective improvement in treating BFRBDs while HRT showed good subjective but poor objective improvement compared to DC. HRT and HRT variants are effective therapeutic treatments for BFRBDs however, further randomized double-blinded and placebo-controlled trials are required to examine HRT’s therapeutic profile.