$Unique_ID{BRK01213}
$Pretitle{Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue}
$Title{Across My Desk:  More on Hair Pulling}
$Subject{hair pulling update}
$Volume{L-20}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


ACROSS MY DESK:  MORE ON HAIR PULLING


------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     My mail is overloaded with material on the strange affliction called
"trichotillomania" since I responded to a question about it in a recent
column.  An article in the July issue of the Journal of the American Academy
of dermatology, by Dr. Sigrid A. Muller, dermatologist at the Mayo Clinic,
reports the results of a ten year study carried out on 174 patients.  Seen
most frequently in women under the age of 39 (80 percent) it is associated
with depression.  When it becomes chronic and extensive it may be classified
as an obsessive compulsive disorder.  A helpful letter from Dr. Mark
Prochaska, a psychiatrist from Prairie Village, Kansas puts it into
perspective He writes,"  I want to add to your answer based on research and
information which was discussed at the recent American Psychiatric Association
Meeting in New York City.  I believe the latest research is showing
trichotillomania to be a subtype of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, or at least
closely related to that psychiatric syndrome.  In any event, treatment has
been quite successful with Anafril (clomipramine) and/or Prozac (fluoxetine).
Both these medications, which are quite successfully used in treating
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, have been found also quite helpful with
trichotillomania I feel that a trial of one of the aforementioned medications
could be quite helpful to your questioner."  Thank you for your assistance,
Dr. Prochaska and permission to publish your letter.
ÿ
----------------

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
