Detailed contribution information
| Contribution title | 2488 - THE ONSET OF TRICHOTILLOMANIA AT 21 MONTHS |
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| Contribution code | PS01-71 (P) |
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| Form of presentation | Poster |
| Topic |
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| Abstract |
Introduction: Trichotillomania (TT), which is also known as hair-pulling disorder, is characterized by the obsessive pulling of hair and results in alopecia. The prevalence of TT has been observed to be approximately 1% of the youth population. In our study we discuss a case of trichotillomania, the onset of which occurred at the age of 21 months and continued for over two years. To the best of our knowledge, this is the earliest reported case of TT in Turkey. Case : E.Y, a 4-year-old girl, came to our outpatient clinic and presented with hair-pulling, temper tantrums and thumb-sucking. Her neuro-motor development was also appropriate to her developmental stage. There was no psychiatric disorder in her family history. Her mother had symptoms of anxiety. According to her family, the patient had started to pull hairs out of her scalp and eat them when she was 21 months old. As a treatment, the patient’s parents shaved her head. The parents preferred to sleep with the child in order to prevent this behavior. However, the symptoms still persisted. When the patient was approximately 24 months of age, they went to a child and adolescent psychiatrist twice but did not continue treatment. Due to the persistence of symptoms, the parents decided to seek psychiatric help again when the patient was four. The family stated that the behavior usually occurred when the patient was watching TV, before sleeping. The patient had never gone to preschool and complained about her hair loss.At the first interview, she described the source of her behavior saying ‘there is a voice in me, which forces me to do it'. Pulling her hair, folding it and eating it reduce anxiety in the patient. Physical examination showed a hairless area in her scalp approximately 2-3 cm in diameter. Behavioral therapy was started, including family intervention and positive reinforcement. Discussion In this case report, we have discussed a case of TT which began at the age of 21 months, whereas the average age of onset for TT is 10-13 years. Our case had an unusually early onset and had persisted for over two years before treatment was sought. As in our case, many families try to find their own solution to this kind of challenge. Patients who suffer from trichotillomania usually are referred to dermatologists and may undergo inappropriate treatments for a long time. Therefore, it is important to identify the origin of the problem and refer the patient to a psychiatric clinic as soon as possible. |