Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Trichotillomania in children and adolescents: Review of the literature and case report

Child Psychiatry and Human Development Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Cite this article

Abstract

Hair pulling is an uncommon behavior for which a standard treatment modality has not yet been established; additionally its prognosis is generally guarded. This article reviews the literature and comments upon the demographic, dermatologic, clinical and psychodynamic features of trichotillomania. The various diagnostic association and the treatment approaches are discussed. A case of trichotillomania is presented and the possible relationship between trichotillomania and anxiety is explored.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Gupta, MA, Gupta, AK, Haberman, HF: The Self-Inflicted Dermatoses—A Critical Review.Gen Hosp Psychiatry 9 (1): 45–52, 1987.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Muller, SA: Trichotillomania.Dermatologic Clinics 5 (3): 595–601, 1987.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Sorosky, AD, Sticher, MB: Trichotillomania in Adolescence.Adolesc Psychiatry 8: 432–454, 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Mehregan, AH: Trichotillomania—A Clinicopathologic Study.Arch Dermatol. 102: 129–133, 1970.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Oranje, AP, Peere-Wynia, JD, DeRaeymaker, DM: Trichotillomania in Childood.J Am Acad Dermatol 15: 614–619, 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition, Revised. American Psychiatric Association, pp. 326–328, 1987.

  7. Anderson, FW, Dean, HC:Some Aspects of Child Guidance and Clinical Intake Policy and Practices: A Study of 500 Cases at the Los Angeles Child Guidance Clinics. Los Angeles, California Public Health Monograph No. 42, PP 1–14, 1956.

  8. Schachter, VM: Trichotillomania in Children.Prax Kinderpsychol Kinderpsychiatr 10: 120–124, 1961.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Mannino, FV, Delgado, RA: Trichotillomania in Children: A Review.Am J Psychiatry 126: 505–511, 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Ottens, AJ: Multifaceted Treatment of Compulsive Hair Pulling,J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 12(1): 77–80, 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Ottens, AJ: A Cognitive Behavioral Modification Treatment of Trichotillomania.J Am Coll Health 32(2): 78–81, 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Butterworth T., Strean, LP: Behavior Disorders of Interest to Dermatologist.Arch of Dermatol 88: 859–867, 1963.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Bartsch, VE: Contribution towards the Aetiology of Trichotillomania in Infancy.Psychiatr Neurol Med Psychol 8: 173–182, 1956.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Greenberg, HR, Sarner, CA: Trichotillomania: Symptom and Syndrome.Arch Gen Psychiatry 12: 482–489, 1965.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Butterworth, T.: Discussion.Arch Dermatol 105: 539–540, 1972.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Meyer, AE, Haag, A.: Psychosomatics of Trichotillomania and Related States or Disorders.Psychother Psychosom 42: 119–123, 1984.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Philippopoulos, GS: A Case of Trichotillomania.Acta Psychother 9: 304–312, 1961.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Krishnan, KR, Davidson, JR, Guajardo, C: Trichotillomania—A Review.Compr Psychiatry 26: 123–128, 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Buxbaum, E: Hair Pulling and Fetishism.Psychoanal Study Child 15: 243–260, 1960.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Stadeli, VH: The Choice of Symptom of Trichotillomania.Prax Kinderspychol Kinderpsychiatr 12: 122–127, 1963.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Stewart, WD, Danton, JL, Maddin, S.: Psychogenic diseases, inDermatology-Diagnosis and Treatment of Cutaneous Disorders, 4th Ed. St. Louis-Mosby, 477–480, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Robinowitz, CB:Habit disorders. Basic handbook of Child Psychiatry, (Vol. 2) J. Noshpuitz (Ed.). New York. Basic Book Inc., 703–705, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Litt, CJ: Trichotillomania in Childhood.J Pediatr Psychol 5(1): 37–42, 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Zaidens, SH: The self inflicted dermatosis and their psychodynamics.J Nerv Ment Dis 113: 395–404, 1951.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Rowen, R.: Hypnotic Age Regression in the Treatment of a Self Destructive Habit: Trichotillomania.Am J Clin Hypn 23(3): 195–197, 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Glaski, T.: The Adjunctive Use of Hypnosis in the Treatment of Trichotillomania.Am J Clin Hypn 23(3): 198–201, 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Lutzker, JR., Lamazor, EA: Behavioral Pediatrics.Prog Behav Modif 19: 217–253, 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  28. De Luca, RV, Holborn, SW: A Comparison of Relaxation Training and Competing Response Training to Eliminate Hair Pulling and Nail Biting.J Behav Ther and Exp Psychiatry 15(1): 67–70, 1984.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Azrin, NH, Nunn, RG, Frantz, SE: Treatment of Hair Pulling (Trichotillomania). A Comparative Study of Habit Reversal and Negative Practice Training.J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 11: 13–20, 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Greenberg, D., Marks, S.: Behavioral Psychotherapy of Uncommon Referrals.Br J Psychiatry 141: 148–153, 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Altman, K., Grahs, S., Friman, P.: Treatment of Unobserved Trichotillomania by Attention Reflection and Punishment of an Apparent Covariant.J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 13(4): 337–340, 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Friman, PC, Hove, G.: Apparent Covariation between child habit disorders: Effect of successful treatment for thumb sucking on untargeted chronic hair pulling.J Appl Behav Anal 20: 421–425, 1987.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Barrett, RP, Shapiro, ES: Treatment of Stereotyped Hair Pulling with Over Correction: A Case Study with long term follow up.J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 11: 317–320, 1980.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medical Director of Turning Point Children's Unit at Arkansas Children's Hospital, Arkansas, USA

    Balkozar S. Adam MD (Assistant Professor of Psychiatry)

  2. Department of Psychiatry, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham, Mail Slot 554, 72205, Little Rock, AR

    Balkozar S. Adam MD (Assistant Professor of Psychiatry)

Authors
  1. Balkozar S. Adam MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Javad H. Kashani MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Adam, B.S., Kashani, J.H. Trichotillomania in children and adolescents: Review of the literature and case report. Child Psych Hum Dev 20, 159–168 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00710185

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00710185

Key words

search

Navigation