Dissociative episodes characterised by hair-pulling in a late adolescent woman

BMJ Case Rep. 2023 Sep 27;16(9):e254100. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2022-254100.

Abstract

A woman in late adolescence with a history of sickle cell disease, moyamoya disease, cerebrovascular accident, mild intellectual disability, post-traumatic stress disorder, functional seizures, generalised anxiety disorder and transient psychosis was referred for a psychiatry consultation. She presented with worsening episodes of dissociation characterised by compulsory hair-pulling. Limited research exists regarding patients engaging in activities of automated behaviour during episodes of dissociation. Thus, we aim to describe a case of a patient with episodes of hair-pulling during dissociative events to discuss the aetiology and treatment. We are describing the aetiology and treatment of a patient with episodes of hair-pulling during dissociative events.

Keywords: Anxiety disorders (including OCD and PTSD); Child and adolescent psychiatry; Child and adolescent psychiatry (paediatrics); Psychiatry.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Dissociative Disorders* / diagnosis
  • Dissociative Disorders* / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Trichotillomania / complications
  • Trichotillomania / diagnosis
  • Trichotillomania / psychology