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Recent advances in the treatment of trichotillomania (hair‐pulling disorder)
Author(s) -
Everett Gregory J.,
Jafferany Mohammad,
Skurya Jonathon
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
dermatologic therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.595
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1529-8019
pISSN - 1396-0296
DOI - 10.1111/dth.13818
Subject(s) - clomipramine , medicine , fluoxetine , pharmacotherapy , olanzapine , naltrexone , psychiatry , cognitive behavioral therapy , intensive care medicine , psychotherapist , psychology , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , cognition , receptor , opioid , serotonin
Trichotillomania (TTM) is a condition in which affected individuals pull out their hair resulting in hair loss. This disorder affects roughly 0.5% to 2.0% of the population and can have significant psychological morbidity. Behavioral therapy has been used with success in the treatment of TTM, but not all patients are willing or able to comply with this treatment strategy. There is a need for effective pharmacological treatment options. Historically, pharmacotherapy for TTM has been inadequate in most cases, but recent advances have been made in this regard. Fluoxetine, clomipramine, olanzapine, and naltrexone have all been used in the treatment of TTM, but evidence of benefit has varied, and side effect profiles can limit practical utility. Recent advances in the understanding of the pathophysiology of TTM, as well as evidence of benefit seen with some glutamate‐modulating agents such as N ‐acetylcysteine and dronabinol, have provided newer potential pharmacotherapy options.