Hair-Related Dysmorphic Disorder in a Patient with Bipolar Disorder

    December 2024 in “ Brazilian Journal of Hair Health
    Howard Lopes Ribeiro, Camila Teixeira Pinheiro Gusmão
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    TLDR Treating both bipolar disorder and hair-related BDD with psychiatric medications improved the patient's symptoms.
    This case report discusses a 66-year-old female patient with a unique comorbidity of hair-related Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) and bipolar disorder. Initially presenting with telogen effluvium in 2011, she experienced recurrent hair loss episodes until 2021, despite normal hair appearance during examinations. Her condition led to emotional distress and social withdrawal, particularly during depressive episodes. In 2023, she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and in 2024, hair-related BDD was identified. Treatment with psychiatric medications, including an antidepressant for BDD, significantly improved her symptoms, highlighting the importance of recognizing and treating this comorbidity.
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