Treatment of recurrent Rapunzel syndrome and trichotillomania: case report and literature review. 2010

Guy C Jones, and Karl Coutinho, and Devashish Anjaria, and Najeeb Hussain, and Rashesh Dholakia
University of Medicine and Dentistry, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA. guycjones@gmail.com

BACKGROUND Trichotillomania (obsession with one's hair) was first described in the literature over 100 years ago and was recognized by the American Psychiatric Association as a distinct disorder in 1987. OBJECTIVE The authors discuss a rare presentation of a case of recurrent Rapunzel syndrome in a 37-year-old woman. METHODS The authors present a biopsychosocial treatment plan for a therapeutic approach. RESULTS This patient was unique for her relatively advanced age at onset, the recurrent nature, association with pancreatitis, and the consumption of artificial hair extensions, rather than her own hair. This patient presented with small-bowel obstruction requiring laparotomy. After surgery, she was evaluated by the psychiatric service; after discharge, she removed her hair extensions, continued to take her prescribed medication, attended a psychiatric program, and was monitored by family and friends. CONCLUSIONS There are no definitive guidelines for treating trichotillomania. In this case, quetiapine, hair-extension removal, family involvement, and regular follow-up helped with the initial cessation of her hair consumption. Antidepressant treatment helped control the obsession while behavioral therapy and family involvement provided the means for habit-reversal training.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D012008 Recurrence The return of a sign, symptom, or disease after a remission. Recrudescence,Relapse,Recrudescences,Recurrences,Relapses
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D001630 Bezoars Concretions of swallowed hair, fruit or vegetable fibers, or similar substances found in the alimentary canal. Hair Balls,Trichobezoars,Ball, Hair,Balls, Hair,Bezoar,Hair Ball,Trichobezoar
D013577 Syndrome A characteristic symptom complex. Symptom Cluster,Cluster, Symptom,Clusters, Symptom,Symptom Clusters,Syndromes
D014256 Trichotillomania Compulsion to pull out one's hair. Hair Pulling Disorder,Disorder, Hair Pulling,Hair Pulling Disorders,Pulling Disorder, Hair,Trichotillomanias

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