A Case of Trichotillomania Presenting as a Factitious Ulcer

    January 2023 in “ Odisha Journal of Psychiatry
    Antara Kunwar, Surjeet Sahoo, SoumyaRanjan Dash, Jitendriya Biswal
    TLDR Thorough patient interviews are crucial to identify self-inflicted hair loss.
    A 30-year-old female with a 6-month history of a scalp ulcer was initially misdiagnosed with pediculosis capitis. Upon further examination, including a scalp biopsy and trichoscopy, trichotillomania was diagnosed. The patient exhibited moderate anxiety and depression and acknowledged hair-pulling behavior. Treatment included clomipramine, N-acetyl cysteine, and habit reversal training. This case highlights the importance of thorough patient interviews to identify self-inflicted hair loss, as patients often do not report such behaviors to psychiatrists initially.
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