From Hair-Pulling to Trichobezoars and Rapunzel Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review of Trichotillomania

This comprehensive review of trichotillomania (TTM) explores its clinical symptoms, etiology, diagnostics, and treatment methods, highlighting its classification as an obsessive-compulsive disorder characterized by uncontrollable hair pulling. TTM often results in patchy alopecia and can co-occur with trichophagia, leading to trichobezoars and, in severe cases, Rapunzel Syndrome, which can cause intestinal obstruction. The study emphasizes the complex interplay of genetic, neurological, and psychological factors in TTM's etiology and underscores the importance of multifaceted treatment approaches, including psychotherapeutic and pharmacological interventions, to manage the disorder and prevent serious complications.