Psychocutaneous syndromes: a call for revised nomenclature.
We propose abandoning three outdated, pejorative diagnostic terms: 'trichotillomania', 'delusions of parasitosis', and 'neurotic excoriation'. These insensitive terms are offensive to patients and become a barrier to treatment. We suggest the following alternative patient-centred nomenclature: 'neuromechanical alopecia', 'pseudoparasitic dysaesthesia', and (simply) 'excoriation'. We briefly review clinical and historical aspects of these disorders.
Walling
H W
HW
Department of Dermatology, University of Iowa, Des Moines, IA, USA. hobart-walling@uiowa.edu
Swick
B L
BL
D003702:Delusions / Q000266:history / Q000523:psychology*; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D010272:Parasitic Diseases / Q000266:history / Q000523:psychology*; D012652:Self Mutilation / Q000266:history / Q000523:psychology*; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D014256:Trichotillomania / Q000266:history / Q000523:psychology*