title: Recurrent trichobezoar due to trichophagia: a case report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Trichobezoar, a hair ball in the gastrointestinal tract, is usually the result of the urge to pull out one's own hair (trichotillomania) and swallow it (trichophagia). It is almost exclusively seen in young females and may cause serious medical complications. This case report will describe an adult female patient with recurrent trichobezoars.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data for this case report was collected from peer-reviewed literature and treatment encounters by the consultation-liaison psychiatry unit; subsequent to obtaining informed consent.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The personality characteristics, familial structure and domestic stress found in this case mirror the literature. We initiated behavioral interventions including habit reversal training and patient education in combination with pharmacologic therapy with clomipramine.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Left untreated, trichophagia can cause a life-threatening emergency, requiring surgery. Recurrence of tichobezoars can be anticipated when the underlying emotional disorder is not addressed using multimodal management including psychiatric evaluation and treatment combined with surgical procedures.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry Department, Bezmiâlem Vakif University, İstanbul, Turkey. ikirpinar@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Ismet
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kırpınar
authors.forename: Tuğba
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kocacenk
authors.forename: Emel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Koçer
authors.forename: Naim
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Memmi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D001630:Bezoars / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D002997:Clomipramine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010842:Pica / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014256:Trichotillomania / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D002997:Clomipramine