The Diagnosis and Psychopharmacological Treatment of Trichotillomania: a Review

Abstract

Recently published literature has given rise to two questions: first, can trichotillomania be considered a variant of obsessive-compulsive disorder? and second, are psychopharmacological treatment strategies, in particular serotonin reuptake blockers, effective in the treatment of trichotillomania? The differences between trichotillomania and obsessive-compulsive disorder were too great to answer the former question affirmatively. To answer the latter question, an overview is given of clinical studies on the effects of psychopharmacological treatment of adolescents and adults with trichotillomania. A total of three studies with control groups and seven without were reviewed. The results varied widely and were inconsistent. The conclusion is that no psychopharmacological treatment strategies can be recommended so far.