Research article summary (published 28 Feb 1992):

Pathologic hair-pulling: a review of the literature and case reports.

Full Abstract

Pathologic hair-pulling (trichotillomania) has been described in the dermatologic and psychiatric literature for the last century, but has become the focus of increased attention in the last few years. Once thought to be either a wholly benign condition or a symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder, more recently hair-pulling has been noted in the context of numerous types of psychopathology, and has been reported to respond to several different types of intervention, both psychological and somatic. Estimates of its prevalence have varied widely. Because of the disparate conclusions of the literature on this condition, a more careful assessment of diagnostic validity is recommended.

Author information

Author/s: Dean, J T (JT); Nelson, E (E); Moss, L (L);

Affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Case Reports; Journal Article; Review

Journal: Comprehensive psychiatry (Compr Psychiatry), published in UNITED STATES. (Language: eng)

Reference: -1992 Mar-Apr; vol 33 (issue 2) : pp 84-91

Dates: Created 1992/04/14; Completed 1992/04/14; Revised 2007/11/15;

PMID: 1544301, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult Age Factors Alopecia Areata - diagnosis; psychology Amitriptyline - therapeutic use Chronic Disease Depressive Disorder - diagnosis Double-Blind Method Female Humans

Isocarboxazid - therapeutic use Lithium Carbonate - therapeutic use Male Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - diagnosis; drug therapy; psychology Psychiatric Status Rating Scales Retrospective Studies Sex Factors Terminology as Topic Trichotillomania - diagnosis; drug therapy; psychology

Associated Chemicals: Amitriptyline (50-48-6) ; Lithium Carbonate (554-13-2) ; Isocarboxazid (59-63-2)

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