TLDR The document concludes that compulsive hair disorders, like trichotillomania, are complex and require careful diagnosis and treatment from both psychiatric and dermatological perspectives.
The 2004 document "Tricoses compulsivas" by José Marcos Pereira reviewed various compulsive hair disorders, primarily focusing on trichotillomania, a psychopathological disorder characterized by the uncontrollable urge to pull out one's hair, more common in women and often more severe when it occurs post-adolescence. Other disorders discussed include trichotemnomania (compulsive hair cutting), trichophagia (compulsive hair swallowing often associated with trichotillomania), trichoteiromania and trichocryptomania (compulsive hair breaking), pseudoalopecia (hair loss from frequent friction), and neuropathic plica (extremely tangled hair often linked to psychiatric issues). The review emphasized the importance of a careful approach to patients, considering both psychiatric and dermatological perspectives, and the complexity of diagnosing and treating these disorders. Diagnostic tests typically found empty follicular channels and some follicles in the catagen or initial anagen phase.
83 citations,
January 2001 in “American journal of clinical dermatology” Clomipramine may significantly reduce hair-pulling in Trichotillomania, but more research is needed on treatments and early onset cases.
6 citations,
January 2000 in “Dermatology” A girl's severely tangled hair couldn't be fixed and had to be cut due to a rare condition called plica neuropathica.
43 citations,
July 1994 in “Archives of Dermatology” People with androgenetic alopecia have more personality disorders and mental health symptoms; treatment may help.
26 citations,
January 1993 in “Dermatology” Exclamation mark hairs are not exclusive to alopecia areata.
20 citations,
November 2012 in “Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft” Hair diseases can have psychological effects and should be treated with a combination of psychosomatic care, therapy, and medication.
2 citations,
December 2023 in “JEADV. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology/Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” The document suggests a new way to categorize skin and mind disorders into two main groups to reduce confusion.
4 citations,
January 2016 in “Postepy Dermatologii I Alergologii” Many hair diseases, including those caused by medications and psychological issues, can lead to hair loss and require proper treatment and specialist care.
8 citations,
September 2021 in “Skin appendage disorders” Trichotillomania treatment is most successful with a mix of behavioral therapy, medication, and social support.
15 citations,
September 2015 in “Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft” Skin doctors should recognize and treat conditions like hair-pulling and skin-picking early, often using therapy and medication, to help 50-70% of patients.
