Trichotillomania (TTM) is a hair-pulling disorder affecting 0.5% to 2.0% of the population, leading to significant psychological issues. While behavioral therapy has been effective, not all patients can adhere to it, highlighting the need for pharmacological treatments. Historically, drugs like fluoxetine, clomipramine, olanzapine, and naltrexone have shown mixed results and often have limiting side effects. Recent advances in understanding TTM's pathophysiology have introduced new potential treatments, particularly glutamate-modulating agents such as N-acetylcysteine and dronabinol, which have shown promise in managing the disorder.
18 citations,
March 2017 in “International clinical psychopharmacology” Inositol was not more effective than a placebo in treating trichotillomania.
21 citations,
April 2015 in “Psychology Research and Behavior Management” Cognitive-behavioral therapy is the best treatment for hair-pulling disorder, and combining it with other therapies could improve results.
69 citations,
October 2013 in “Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology” This study investigated the effectiveness of naltrexone, an opioid antagonist, in treating trichotillomania (TTM) in 51 adults over an 8-week, double-blind trial. While naltrexone did not significantly reduce hair pulling compared to placebo, it did improve cognitive flexibility (P = 0.026). Additionally, participants with a family history of addiction showed a greater, though not statistically significant, reduction in hair-pulling urges. The findings suggested that future research should explore the potential of targeting the opiate system for managing TTM in specific subgroups.
