Under-Diagnosed Psychiatric Syndrome: Trichotillomania

Trichotillomania was described as a chronic psychiatric condition characterized by uncontrollable hair pulling, leading to noticeable hair loss, primarily affecting the scalp and eyelashes. The condition often began in childhood or early adolescence, with a lifetime prevalence of 1.5% in males and 3.4% in females among college students. Women exhibited 5 to 10 times higher prevalence rates than men. Due to secrecy and shame, many sufferers delayed seeking treatment. Serotonin reuptake inhibitors were the preferred pharmacological treatment, while behavior therapy included habit reversal, exposure therapy, and response prevention.