Trichotillomania successfully treated with risperidone and naltrexone: Ageriatric case report

摘要

To the Editor: Trichotillomania is a chronic psychiatric condition characterized by uncontrollable, self-inflicted hair pulling resulting in noticeable hair loss. The hair pulling may occur anywhere on the body; with the scalp and eyelashes most commonly affected. Onset is often during childhood or early adolescence. Once presumed to be an obscure condition, the estimated source for lifetime prevalence is 1.5% for male and 3.4% for female college students. Because of the secrecy and shame about their behavior, many remain silent sufferers, and treatment is often delayed. Trichotillomania is a little-known disorder with wider prevalence and more significant consequences than previously believed. While sharing similarities with obsessive-compulsive disorder, compelling differences from it have also been noted. Trichotillomania is an underdiagnosed and under-reported condition associated with significant social and functional impairment.