[Gastric trichobezoar: case report and literature review]. / Tricobezoar gástrico: reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura.

A gastric bezoar is a foreign body tumor that results from the accumulation of indigestible material in the stomach. The trichobezoar is one of them and frequently occurs in the young female population suffering from psychiatric disorders. The presentation of the gastric bezoar is insidious and nonspecific, having an initially asymptomatic course for years, until it reaches a size that shows symptoms. The diagnostic method of choice is endoscopy since it allows the bezoar to be visualized and propose the treatment. The therapeutic approach will be determined by its type, size, and consistency; however, surgical resolution is the one of choice, which must always be associated with psychiatric treatment to prevent recurrence of the condition. The case of a 19-year-old patient with a diagnosis of gastric trichobezoar, associated with trichotillomania and trichophagia as underlying pathologies is presented, and a literature review is carried out.

Common causes of hair loss - clinical manifestations, trichoscopy and therapy.

The field of hair disorders is constantly growing. The most important hair diseases are divided in non- cicatricial and cicatricial ones. Non-cicatricial alopecia are more frequent than cicatricial alopecia. The first step is to obtain a good history and physical examination. Laboratory testing is often unnecessary, while trichoscopy is fundamental for all hair diseases. Scalp biopsy is strongly suggested in cicatricial alopecia and in doubtful cases. Androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata, telogen effluvium, trichotillomania are common causes of non- cicatricial alopecia. Frontal fibrosing alopecia, discoid lupus erythematosus, lichen planopilaris, follicullitis decalvans are some of the most common forms of cicatricial hair loss. Many treatments are available, and a prompt diagnosis is very important for the prognosis.

Trichotillomania is more related to Tourette disorder than to obsessive-compulsive disorder

Objective: Trichotillomania (TTM) is characterized by the pulling out of one's hair. TTM was classified as an impulse control disorder in DSM-IV, but is now classified in the obsessive-compulsive related disorders section of DSM-5. Classification for TTM remains an open question, especially considering its impact on treatment of the disorder. In this review, we questioned the relation of TTM to tic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Method: We reviewed relevant MEDLINE-indexed articles on clinical, neuropsychological, neurobiological, and therapeutic aspects of trichotillomania, OCD, and tic disorders. Results: Our review found a closer relationship between TTM and tic disorder from neurobiological (especially imaging) and therapeutic standpoints. Conclusion: We sought to challenge the DSM-5 classification of TTM and to compare TTM with both OCD and tic disorder. Some discrepancies between TTM and tic disorders notwithstanding, several arguments are in favor of a closer relationship between these two disorders than between TTM and OCD, especially when considering implications for therapy. This consideration is essential for patients.

Pediatric trichotillomania: Review of management.

Trichotillomania can present in childhood, with many families seeking initial evaluation by a dermatologist for hair loss. Prompt and accurate diagnosis by dermatologists is crucial, as children can suffer from academic or social impairments as well as mental health sequelae. Children are especially vulnerable to lasting psychological distress from appearance-related bullying. This article reviews the psychosocial impacts of pediatric trichotillomania and the current interventions studied in this population. Included are studies evaluating behavioral therapies as well as pharmacologic options. This review highlights the importance of early and appropriate identification, intervention, and the need for more treatment studies in the pediatric population.

Assessment and treatment of trichotillomania (hair pulling disorder) and excoriation (skin picking) disorder.

Recommendations are provided for the assessment and treatment of trichotillomania (hair pulling disorder, or HPD) and excoriation disorder (skin picking disorder, or SPD), two body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRB) disorders, based on their severity, comorbidities, and behavioral style. Habit reversal training (HRT) and stimulus control are first-line behavioral treatments that can be used in cases of all severity levels and may be particularly helpful when pulling or picking is performed with lowered awareness/intention. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) are behavioral treatments that can be employed to augment HRT/stimulus control, especially when negative emotions trigger the pulling or picking. There are currently no FDA-approved pharmacologic treatments for HPD or SPD, though certain medications/supplements have shown varying degrees of efficacy in trials. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) should be considered for all severity levels and styles given its moderate gain/low side effect profile. Other pharmacologic interventions, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), should be considered in cases with significant comorbidities or previous behavioral/NAC treatment failure.

Síndrome de Rapunzel con doble tricobezoar simultáneo en una adolescente: Reporte de caso / Rapunzel syndrome with double simultaneous trichobezoar in a teenager: Clinical Case Report

Resumen: Introducción: Los tricobezoares son acúmulos intraluminales de cabello ingerido. El síndrome de Rapunzel hace referencia a la presencia de los tricobezoares gástricos que se extienden al intestino delgado, sumados a la tricotilomanía y tricofagia, los cuales ocurren preferentemente en pacientes psiquiátricos en edad pediátrica. Objetivo: Analizar la aparición y manejo de este síndrome, propor cionando de igual manera datos acerca del entorno familiar y psicoemocional para que, por medio del análisis de los mismos, en un futuro se pueda identificar el riesgo en pacientes con circunstancias similares. Caso clínico: Paciente femenina de 14 años con antecedentes de tricotilomanía y tricofagia de dos años de evolución, que consultó por cuadro de dolor epigástrico asociado a sensación de plenitud posprandial, náuseas y pérdida de peso. Al examen destacaban áreas alopécicas en el cuero cabelludo y a la palpación abdominal se identificó un plastrón cuyo contorno parecía corresponder a los límites gástricos. En los estudios de imágenes se encontró una ocupación gástrica por bezoar. Con la laparotomía más gastrostomía se identificaron dos tricobezoares simultáneos en estómago y duodeno, que fueron resueltos quirúrgicamente y la paciente fue manejada con abordaje psicoemocional. Conclusión: El síndrome de Rapunzel, lejos de ser meramente una entidad quirúrgica, requiere un apoyo psicoemocional para prevenir su recurrencia y limitar su severidad.

Resumen: Introduction: Trichobezoars are an intraluminal accumulation of ingested hair. The Rapunzel syndrome refers to the presence of gastric trichobezoars which extend to the small intestine together with trichotillomania and trichophagia, that occur predominantly in psychiatric patients of pediatric age. Objective: To analyze the clinical course and resolution of this syndrome in a case report. Likewise, we provide information about the family environment and psycho-emotional context of the patients and help the reader identify similar circumstances in their clinical practice. Case report: Female 14-year-old patient with history of trichotillomania and trichophagia of two years of evolution, who consulted for epigastric pain associated with weight loss, nausea, and postprandial fullness. During the physical examination, the patient was found to have bald patches in the scalp along with a palpable mass that seemed to be confined to the gastric limits. Imaging studies revealed gastric occupation due to a bezoar formation. The patient was treated surgically with laparotomy and gastrostomy, and two simultaneous trichobezoars were removed from the patient´s stomach and duodenum, the patient also underwent psycho-emotional professional counseling. Conclusion: Rapunzel´s syndrome, far for being a merely surgical entity, also requires psychoemotional assessment to prevent it recurrence and limit its severity.

Trichotillomania: Bizzare Patern of Hair Loss at 11-Year-old Girl.

Trichotillomania (TTM) is defined by the Diagnostics and Statistic Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DMS-IV) as hair loss from a patient`s repetitive self-pulling of hair. The disorder is included under anxiety disorders because it shares some obsessive-compulsive features. Patients have the tendency towards feelings of unattractiveness, body dissatisfaction, and low self-esteem (1,2). It is a major psychiatric problem, but many patients with this disorder first present to a dermatologist. An 11-year-old girl came to our department with a 2-month history of diffuse hair loss on the frontoparietal and parietotemporal area (Figure 1). She had originally been examined by a pediatrician with the diagnosis of alopecia areata. The patient`s personal history included hay fever and shortsightedness, and she suffered from varicella and mononucleosis. Nobody in the family history suffered from alopecia areata, but her father has male androgenetic alopecia (Norwood/Hamilton MAGA C3F3). The mother noticed that the child had had changeable mood for about 2 months and did not want to communicate with other persons in the family. The family did not have any pet at home. At school, her favorite subjects were Math and Computer Studies. She did not like Physical Education and did not participate in any sport activities during her free time. This was very strange because she was obese (body-mass index (BMI) 24.69). She was sometimes angry with her 13-year-old sister who had better results at school. The girl had suddenly started to wear a blue scarf. The parents did not notice that she pulled out her hair at home. Dermatological examination of the capillitium found a zone of incomplete alopecia in the frontoparietal and parietotemporal area, without inflammation, desquamation, and scaring. Hairs were of variable length (Figure 1). There was a patch of incomplete alopecia above the forehead between two stripes of hair of variable length (Figure 2). The hair pull test was negative along the edges of the alopecia. Mycological examination from the skin capillitium was negative. The trichoscopy and skin biopsy of the parietotemporal region of the capillitium (Figure 3) confirmed trichotillomania. Laboratory tests (blood count, iron, ferritin, transferrin, selenium, zinc, vitamin B12, folic acid, serology and hormones of thyroid gland) were negative. We referred the girl for ophthalmologic and psychological examination. Ophthalmologic examination proved that there was no need to add any more diopters. The psychological examination provided us with a picture in which she drew her family (Figure 4). The strongest authority in the family was the mother because she looked after the girls for most of the day. She was in the first place in the picture. The father had longer working hours and spent more time outside the home. He worked as a long vehicle driver. He was in the second place in the picture. There was sibling rivalry between the girls, but the parents did not notice this problem and preferred the older daughter. She was successful at school and was prettier (slim, higher, curly brown hair, without spectacles). Our 11-years-old patient noticed all these differences between them, but at her level of mental development was not able to cope with this problem. She wanted to be her sister's equal. The sister is drawn in the picture in the third place next to father, while the patient's own figure was drawn larger and slim even though she was obese. Notably, all three female figures had very nice long brown hair. It seemed that the mother and our patient had better quality of hair and more intense color than the sister in the drawing. The only hairless person in the picture was the father. The girl did not want to talk about her problems and feelings at home. Then it was confirmed that our patient was very sensitive, anxious, willful, and withdrawn. She was interested in her body and very perceptive of her physical appearance. From the psychological point of view, the parents started to pay more interest to their younger daughter and tried to understand and help her. After consultation with the psychiatrist, we did not start psychopharmacologic therapy for trichotillomania; instead, we started treatment with cognitive behavioral therapy, mild shampoo, mild topical steroids (e.g. hydrocortisone butyrate 0.1%) in solution and methionine in capsules. With parents' cooperation, the treatment was successful. The name trichotillomania was first employed by the French dermatologist Francois Henri Hallopeau in 1889, who described a young man pulling his hair out in tufts (3-5). The word is derived from the Greek thrix (hair), tillein (to pull), and mania (madness) (5). The prevalence of TTM in the general adult population ranges from 0.6% to 4%, and 2-4% of the general psychiatric outpatient population meet the criteria for TTM (2-5). The prevalence among children and adolescents has been estimated at less than 1% (5). The disease can occur at any age and in any sex. The age of onset of hair pulling is significantly later for men than for women (3). There are three subsets of age: preschool children, preadolescents to young adults, and adults. The mean age of onset is pre-pubertal. It ranges from 8 to 13 years (on average 11.3 years) (2-5). The occurrence of hair-pulling in the first year of life is a rare event, probably comprising <1% of cases (5). The etiology of TTM is complex and may be triggered by a psychosocial stressor within the family, such as separation from an attachment figure, hospitalization of the child or parent, birth of a younger sibling, sibling rivalry, moving to a new house, or problems with school performance. It has been hypothesized that the habit may begin with "playing" with the hair, with later chronic pulling resulting in obvious hair loss (2). Environment is a factor because children usually pull their hair when alone and in relaxed surroundings. The bedroom, bathroom, or family room are "high-risk" situations for hair-pulling (5). Men and women also differed in terms of the hair pulling site (men pull hair from the stomach/back and the moustache/beard areas, while women pull from the scalp) (3). Pulling hair from siblings, pets, dolls, and stuffed animals has also been documented, often occurring in the same pattern as in the patient (5). Genetic factors contributing to the development of TTM are mutations of the SLITRK1 gene, which plays a role in cortex development and neuronal growth. The protein SAPAP3 has been present in 4.2% of TTM cases and patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It may be involved in the development of the spectrum of OCD. A significantly different concordance rate for TTM was found in monozygotic (38.1%) compared with dizygotic (0%) twins in 34 pairs (3). The core diagnostic feature is the repetitive pulling of hairs from one`s own body, resulting in hair loss. The targeted hair is mostly on the scalp (75%), but may also be from the eyebrows (42%), eyelashes (53%), beard (10%), and pubic area (17%) (3,5). There are three subtypes of hair pulling - early onset, automatic, and focused. Diagnostic criteria for TTM according to DSM-IV criteria are (2,3,5): 1) recurrent pulling of one`s hair resulting in noticeable hair loss; 2) an increasing sense of tension immediately prior to pulling out the hair or when attempting to resist the behavior; 3) pleasure, gratification, or relief when pulling out the hair; 4) the disturbance is not better accounted for by another mental disorder and is not due to a general medical condition (e.g., a dermatologic condition); 5) the disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. The differential diagnosis includes alopecia areata (Table 1) (6), tinea capitis, telogen effluvium, secondary syphilis, traction alopecia, loose anagen syndrome, lichen planopilaris, alopecia mucinosa, and scleroderma (2-5). Biopsy of an involved area (ideally from a recent site of hair loss) can help to confirm the diagnosis (5). On histologic examination, there are typically increased numbers of catagen and telogen hairs without evidence of inflammation. Chronic hair pulling induces a catagen phase, and more hairs will be telogen hairs. Pigment casts and empty anagen follicles are often seen. Perifollicular hemorrhage near the hair bulb is an indicator of TTM (2). Complications of TTM are rare, but they comprise secondary bacterial infections with regional lymphadenopathy as a result of picking and scratching at the scalp. Many patients play with and ingest the pulled hairs (e.g. touching the hair to lips, biting, and chewing). Trichophagia (ingestion of the hair) can lead to a rare complication named trichobezoar (a "hair ball" in stomach). This habit is present in approximately 5% to 30% of adult patients, but it is less frequent in children. Patient with trichophagia present with pallor, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and weight loss. Radiologic examination and gastroscopy should not be delayed (2,4,5). The management of the disease is difficult and requires strong cooperation between the physician, patient, and parents. The dermatologist cannot take part in the therapy, strictly speaking, but without the psychological, psychopharmacologic, and topic dermatologic treatment a vicious circle will be perpetuated.

LONG-TERM OUTCOME IN PEDIATRIC TRICHOTILLOMANIA.

OBJECTIVE: To examine long-term outcome in children with trichotillomania. METHOD: We conducted follow-up clinical assessments an average of 2.8 ± 0.8 years after baseline evaluation in 30 of 39 children who previously participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) for pediatric trichotillomania. Our primary outcome was change in hairpulling severity on the Massachusetts General Hospital Hairpulling Hospital Hairpulling Scale (MGH-HPS) between the end of the acute phase and follow-up evaluation. We also obtained secondary measures examining styles of hairpulling, comorbid anxiety and depressive symptoms, as well as continued treatment utilization. We examined both correlates and predictors of outcome (change in MGH-HPS score) using linear regression. RESULTS: None of the participants continued to take NAC at the time of follow-up assessment. No significant changes in hairpulling severity were reported over the follow-up period. Subjects reported significantly increased anxiety and depressive symptoms but improvement in automatic pulling symptoms. Increased hairpulling symptoms during the follow-up period were associated with increased depression and anxiety symptoms and increased focused pulling. Older age and greater focused pulling at baseline assessment were associated with poor long-term prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that few children with trichotillomania experience a significant improvement in trichotillomania symptoms if behavioral treatments are inaccessible or have failed to produce adequate symptom relief. Our findings also confirm results of previous cross-sectional studies that suggest an increased risk of depression and anxiety symptoms with age in pediatric trichotillomania. Increased focused pulling and older age among children with trichotillomania symptoms may be associated with poorer long-term prognosis.

The trichotillomania impact project in young children (TIP-YC): clinical characteristics, comorbidity, functional impairment and treatment utilization.

The aim was to investigate clinical characteristics of young children with a hair pulling problem. Parents/caregivers of young children (0-10 years old) with a hair pulling problem (N = 110) completed an online survey. The majority reported that their child experienced mild to moderate impairment/distress due to hair pulling, and overall clinical characteristics were similar to adult samples, although some differences were noted (e.g., less awareness of pulling). We also compared preschool-aged and school-aged children within the sample. Symptom severity, pleasure during pulling and gender ratio remained stable across the age groups. The preschool-aged children demonstrated less impairment/distress, comorbidity, and treatment seeking; pulled from fewer body areas; and were less likely to be aware of the act or experience tension prior to pulling. In conclusion, clinical characteristics of childhood hair pulling are largely similar to adult/adolescent hair pulling problems, but there are some notable differences, particularly among pre-school aged children.

Trichotillomania.

Trichotillomania (TTM) is an impulse disorder in which patients chronically pull out hair resulting in noticeable hair loss. TTM is reported to affect as much as 4% of the population with the highest incidence in childhood and adolescence. The diagnostic criteria for TTM is likely to be revised in the planned fifth edition of the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) to remove the requirement that the patient has "tension" followed by "relief" or "gratification" after hair pulling. First-line therapy is cognitive behavioral therapy, with strongest support for the subtype habit reversal training. Among pharmacologic therapy, clomipramine has been most effective in clinical trials. However, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are most commonly prescribed despite the lack of data supporting their efficacy. This article reviews the clinical features and treatment options for TTM to enhance knowledge and clinical management of TTM.

Recurrent trichobezoar due to trichophagia: a case report.

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. METHOD: 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. CONCLUSION: 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.

[Diagnosis and treatment of hair pulling- and skin picking disorder]. / Greining og medferd hárplokkunarog húdkroppunaráráttu.

Hair pulling disorder (HPD; trichotillomania) is characterized by recurrent pulling of hair from the scalp, eyebrows or other parts of the body. Skin picking disorder (SPD) is closely related to HPD and involves re-current picking of the skin. Even though both HPD and SPD are relatively common and potentially severe disorders, health professionals typically know little about them. In the present article, we describe the clinical characteristics of these problems and provide diagnostic guidelines. We also discuss main treatment approaches (drug treatments and behavior therapy) and review research on their efficacy. Results show that behavior therapy (habit reversal) has consistently been shown to be effective, SSRIs seem not to work, but preliminary data suggest that other drugs (e.g. N-acetylcysteine) may benefit some patients.

Treatment of recurrent Rapunzel syndrome and trichotillomania: case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Trichotillomania (obsession with one's hair) was first described in the literature over 100 years ago and was recognized by the American Psychiatric Association as a distinct disorder in 1987. OBJECTIVE: The authors discuss a rare presentation of a case of recurrent Rapunzel syndrome in a 37-year-old woman. METHOD: The authors present a biopsychosocial treatment plan for a therapeutic approach. RESULTS: This patient was unique for her relatively advanced age at onset, the recurrent nature, association with pancreatitis, and the consumption of artificial hair extensions, rather than her own hair. This patient presented with small-bowel obstruction requiring laparotomy. After surgery, she was evaluated by the psychiatric service; after discharge, she removed her hair extensions, continued to take her prescribed medication, attended a psychiatric program, and was monitored by family and friends. CONCLUSION: There are no definitive guidelines for treating trichotillomania. In this case, quetiapine, hair-extension removal, family involvement, and regular follow-up helped with the initial cessation of her hair consumption. Antidepressant treatment helped control the obsession while behavioral therapy and family involvement provided the means for habit-reversal training.

Tricotilomanía: abordaje diferenciado según la franja etaria en la infancia / Trichotillomania: differentiated approach depending on the age group in children

Introducción: La tricotilomanía se caracteriza por áreas de alopecia causadas por la tracción de cabellos realizada por el mismo paciente y es más frecuente en edades pediátricas. No obstante, existen pocos trabajos sobre esta enfermedad. Este estudio tiene como objetivo delinear las características clínicas y evolutivas de la tricotilomanía en un grupo de niños Resultados: Hubo 47 casos de tricotilomanía, de los cuales 32 (68%) fueron niñas. Se observó una mayor predisposición en el género femenino luego de los 5 años (mientras en las menores de 5 años el 56% estuvo afectada, en las mayores de 5 años el porcentaje se elevó al 76%). La edad media de inicio fue de 6 años, variando entre los 7 meses y los 11 años. La presencia de factores precedentes como cambios en la dinámica familiar, problemas psicológicos y enfermedades se determinó en 29 pacientes y fue más común en los niños mayores de 5 años. La región parieto-temporal fue la más afectada y las pestañas y cejas las menos comprometidas. En el 74% de los casos se inició tratamiento con placebo y se obtuvo una buena respuesta...

Introduction: Trichotillomania is characterised by alopecic areas caused by patients pulling out their hair. There are few works on this disease in the pediatric age group. The aim of this study is to delineate the clinical characteristics and evolution of trichotillomania in childhood.Results: There were 47 cases, 32 (68%) girls, with a higher difference between genders was observed over the age of 5 (of the group of under 5, 56% were while over this age they represented the 76%). Median age at onset was 6 years, ranging from 7 months to 11 years. Prior factors such as changes in family dynamics, psychological problems and diseases occurred in 29 patients, more current in the over 5 years old. The parieto-temporal region was the most affected and eyelashes and eyebrows the least removed. Placebo treatment was instituted in 74% with good response...

Tricotilomania: [revisão] / Trichotillomania: [review]

CONTEXTO: Relatada desde a Antiguidade, a tricotilomania (TTM) somente na última década despertou maior interesse clínico, sendo incluída no DSM-IV-TR (The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th Text Revision) como um transtorno do controle dos impulsos não especificado. Dados recentes estimam uma prevalência em torno de 3 por cento, indicando uma incidência mais comum do que se imaginava. Aspectos clínicos e terapêuticos ainda não estão totalmente definidos. OBJETIVO: Revisão sistemática da literatura de vários aspectos da tricotilomania pertinentes à teoria clínica e prática. MÉTODO: Os termos "trichotillomania", "epidemiology", "clinical characteristics", "etiology", "comorbidity" e "treatment" foram consultados nas bases de dados Medline/PubMed, Lilacs, PsycINFO e Cochrane Library. RESULTADOS: Pesquisas com populações não clínicas sugerem que a TTM é mais comum do que se acreditava. Aspectos fenomenológicos, taxonômicos, comorbidades e possibilidades terapêuticas são discutidos. CONCLUSÃO: Apesar de um crescente número de estudos recentes, questões clínicas e terapêuticas permanecem em aberto. Com base nesta revisão da literatura, sugerem-se direções para diagnóstico, tratamento e futuras pesquisas.

BACKGROUND: Recognized since antiquity, only within the last decade has the subject of trichotillomania provoked any larger clinical interest since it has been included in the DSM-IV-TR (The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th Text Revision) as a disturbance of the impulse-control disorders not elsewhere classified. Recent data estimates its prevalence at around 3 percent. Although more common than it was imagined before, clinical and therapeutic aspects are still not well defined. OBJECTIVE: Systematic revision in the literature of several aspects of trichotillomania and its clinical and practical theory. METHOD: The term "trichotillomania", "its epidemiology", "clinical characteristics", "etiology", "comorbidity" and "treatment" were searched in the data bases of Medline/ PubMed, Lilacs, PsycINFO and Cochrane Library. RESULTS: Research with no clinical populations suggests that TTM is more common than it was previously suspected. Phenomenological and taxonomical aspects, comorbidity as well as therapeutic possibilities are discussed. CONCLUSION: Despite a growing number of recent studies, clinical and therapeutic aspects remain undefined. Based on this literature's review, directions are suggested concerning diagnosis, treatment and future research.

Tricotilomania: revisão da literatura / Trichotillomania

Um número substancial de pacientes sofrre de tricotilomania, uma doença psiquiátrica com manifestações dermatológicas. Pessoas que sofrem de tricotilomania normalmente sabem de sua doença, mas não procuram ajuda devido à vergonha que sentem. Neste artigo, os autores discutem as características clinicas e propedêuticas da tricotilomania, com ênfase nos aspectos psiquiátricos dos pacientes.

A substancial number of patients are suffering about trichotilomania, a psychiatric disease that has dermatological manifestations. People who suffer about trichotillomania, generally know about their disease, but they don't look after help due to the shame that feel. In this article, the authors discuss the clinical characteristics and propedeutic of trichotillomania, with emphasis on the psychiatric aspects of the patients.

Tricotilomania / Trichotillomania

A tricotilomania é caracterizada por alopecia, resultante de hábito repetitivo de puxar o cabelo exercido pelo próprio paciente. Além do comprometimento estético e conseqüências sociais, o hábito pode levar a complicações. O artigo procura familiarizar o leitor com os principais aspectos clínicos e o tratamento a ser utilizado nos casos de tricotilomania, com ênfase nas técnicas de terapia comportamental.

Trichotillomania is characterized by hair loss from a patient's repetitive self-pulling of hair. This habit is embarrassing, unattractive, socially undesirable, and can predispose to some complications. The purpose of this article is to familiarize the reader with clinical features of trichotillomania and to describe appropriate therapeutic approach to be applied, with particular attention to behavior therapy techniques.