TLDR Community support and mindset changes helped a woman stop hair-pulling for 9 months.
This case report discusses a 24-year-old female with treatment-resistant trichotillomania who achieved remission of hair-pulling and subsequent hair regrowth through a combination of mindset reframing, physical barriers, and community support. Despite the limited evidence-based treatments available, such as pharmacotherapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy, this novel approach allowed her to remain pull-free for 9 months, the longest period in 10 years. The case highlights the potential of enhanced mindsets and shared experiences in managing trichotillomania and suggests that community empowerment and mentality-based interventions could be effective treatments, warranting further research into their long-term effects.
47 citations
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December 2020 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” The document concludes that understanding and treating hair loss requires recognizing its various types and using appropriate diagnostic tools and treatments.
219 citations
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September 2016 in “American Journal of Psychiatry” Trichotillomania is different from OCD and is best treated with habit reversal therapy and specific medications.
83 citations
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January 2001 in “American journal of clinical dermatology” Clomipramine may significantly reduce hair-pulling in Trichotillomania, but more research is needed on treatments and early onset cases.
417 citations
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March 1991 in “American Journal of Psychiatry” Most adult chronic hair pullers are women who started in their early teens, often have other mental health issues, and may pull hair due to underlying psychiatric conditions.
May 2017 in “InTech eBooks” Hair pulling disorder is treated with therapy and medication; hair loss from tension can be reversed if caught early.
22 citations
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May 2011 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology” Recognizing and managing skin-related psychiatric disorders in children is crucial for effective treatment.
November 2017 in “Pediatrics in Review” A 4-year-old girl with hair loss was diagnosed with early-onset trichotillomania and improved with behavioral interventions.
27 citations
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March 1994 in “Harvard Review of Psychiatry” Behavior therapy and medications, especially clomipramine, can help reduce hair pulling in people with trichotillomania.
2 citations
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October 2015 in “Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice” Doctors should diagnose hair loss by examining the patient and possibly doing tests, and then treat it based on the type, which may prevent permanent hair loss.
