Pathologic hair-pulling: a review of the literature and case reports.
Pathologic hair-pulling (trichotillomania) has been described in the dermatologic and psychiatric literature for the last century, but has become the focus of increased attention in the last few years. Once thought to be either a wholly benign condition or a symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder, more recently hair-pulling has been noted in the context of numerous types of psychopathology, and has been reported to respond to several different types of intervention, both psychological and somatic. Estimates of its prevalence have varied widely. Because of the disparate conclusions of the literature on this condition, a more careful assessment of diagnostic validity is recommended.
Dean
J T
JT
Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110.
Nelson
E
E
Moss
L
L
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007520:Isocarboxazid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016651:Lithium Carbonate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D014256:Trichotillomania / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology
D000639:Amitriptyline; D016651:Lithium Carbonate; D007520:Isocarboxazid