trichotillomania

Introduction

Manual extraction of hair.

Etiology

• obsessive-compulsive disorder
• other psychiatric disorder

Epidemiology

• most commonly in children, adolescents & women

Clinical manifestations

• frontoparietal area is most commonly affected
• hairs of various length may be found

* images

Management

• cognitive behavioral therapy
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, clomipramine, & behavioral modification (cognitive behavioral therapy) have been used with mixed success
• N-acetylcysteine 1200-24 mg PO QD
• referral to psychiatrist or psychologist

More general terms

• traumatic alopecia

Component of

• pathologic grooming