Obsessive-compulsive disorder, trichotillomania, and anorexia nervosa: a case report.

Full Abstract

We report a case study of an 18-year-old female who presented with symptoms associated with several discrete diagnostic syndromes: obsessive-compulsive disorder, trichotillomania, major depression, and anorexia nervosa. Improvement in each occurred after treatment with the serotonin selective reuptake inhibitor, fluoxetine, suggesting that such syndromes share a common serotonin neurotransmitter disturbance. Furthermore, the combined effects of medication and psychotherapy resulted in improvement in assertiveness, sense of security, self-worth, flexibility, and self-regulation. We discuss the pharmacological and psychotherapeutic implications of possible psychophysiologic similarities among the previously mentioned syndromes.

Author information

Author/s: Pryor, T L (TL); Martin, R L (RL); Roach, N (N);

Affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita 67214-3199, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Case Reports; Journal Article

Journal: The International journal of eating disorders (Int J Eat Disord), published in UNITED STATES. (Language: eng)

Reference: 1995-Dec; vol 18 (issue 4) : pp 375-9

Dates: Created 1996/03/15; Completed 1996/03/15; Revised 2004/11/17;

PMID: 8580925, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

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