title: [Trichotillomania: three cases presentation and diagnosis tests review].
abstract: Trichotillomania represents a chronic disorder in which patients traumatically remove their own hair in a bizarre pattern. Like obsessive-compulsive disorder, the hair-pulling behavior is recognized as senseless and undesirable, but is performed in response to several emotions and affects, such as increasing anxiety, or unconscious conflicts with a resultant tension relief. The condition may be episodic, but is usually chronic and difficult to treat. We present three cases of trichotillomania and review common clinical and pathologic findings of this, often chronic and socially debilitating, disorder. In addition, we discuss treatment options for dermatologists and how the collaboration with psychiatrists is the most effective management for these difficult-to-treat patients.
authors.affiliation: Clínica de la Picl, Caracas, Venezuela. jaimepiquero@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Piquero-Casals
authors.forename: Edgar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: La Rotta-Higuera
authors.forename: Vanesa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Piquero-Casals
authors.forename: Rolando
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hernández-Pérez
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Piquero-Martín
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000175:diagnosis; D002648:Child; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D011613:Psychotherapy; D020280:Sertraline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014256:Trichotillomania / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D005473:Fluoxetine; D020280:Sertraline