Trichotillomania

Authors

  • Edson Luiz Toledo Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina
  • Rogéria Oliveira Taragano Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina
  • Táki Athanássios Cordás USP; Departamento de Psiquiatria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0101-60832010000600003

Keywords:

Trichotillomania, etiology, epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Recognized since antiquity, only within the last decade has the subject of trichotillomania provoked any larger clinical interest since it has been included in the DSM-IV-TR (The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th Text Revision) as a disturbance of the impulse-control disorders not elsewhere classified. Recent data estimates its prevalence at around 3%. Although more common than it was imagined before, clinical and therapeutic aspects are still not well defined. OBJECTIVE: Systematic revision in the literature of several aspects of trichotillomania and its clinical and practical theory. METHOD: The term "trichotillomania", "its epidemiology", "clinical characteristics", "etiology", "comorbidity" and "treatment" were searched in the data bases of Medline/ PubMed, Lilacs, PsycINFO and Cochrane Library. RESULTS: Research with no clinical populations suggests that TTM is more common than it was previously suspected. Phenomenological and taxonomical aspects, comorbidity as well as therapeutic possibilities are discussed. CONCLUSION: Despite a growing number of recent studies, clinical and therapeutic aspects remain undefined. Based on this literature's review, directions are suggested concerning diagnosis, treatment and future research.

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Published

2010-01-01

Issue

Vol. 37 No. 6 (2010)

Section

Reviews of Literature

License

Once accepted for publication, the manuscript becomes permanent property of the Archives of Clinical Psychiatry. This copyright transfer subsumes exclusive and unlimited entitlement of the Archives of Clinical Psychiatry to publish and distribute the full contents of articles in whichever publishing medium, including press and electronic media, in Brazil and abroad.

Manuscripts are accepted with the understanding that the Editor and the editorial staff have the right to make revisions aimed at greater conciseness, clarity, and conformity with Journal style, of course without changing its content.

How to Cite

Trichotillomania . (2010). Archives of Clinical Psychiatry, 37(6), 261-269. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0101-60832010000600003