ALPHA PSYCHIATRY
Original Articles

Fluoxetine induced trichotillomania in a 7-year- old boy: a case report

1.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Tepecik Teaching and Research Hospital, Izmir

2.

Assistant Professor, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Department of Psychology, Istanbul Aydin University, Istanbul

Alpha Psychiatry 2016; 17: Supplement 45-47
DOI: 10.5455/apd.229825
Read: 704 Downloads: 398 Published: 01 June 2016

Trichotillomania (TTM) is a mental disorder characterized by recurrent hair pulling that result in significant hair loss. Traditionally, serotonin has been the principal neurotransmitter implicated in TTM, however, recent literature strongly supports the role of dopamine in the pathophysiology of TTM. Here we describe 7 year old boy who had fluoxetine-induced trichotillomania. According to the temporal association in time between fluoxetine treatment, the symptoms of trichotillomania and the resolution of symptoms in the absence of fluoxetine, hair pulling was likely fluoxetine induced. It is implicated that serotonin reuptake inhibitors may have facilitative effects on dopamine. We suggest that TTM may be the result of dopamine increase due to fluoxetine treatment. To our knowledge this is the first reported case of antidepressant-induced trichotillomania. [Anadolu Psikiyatri Derg 2016; 17(0.300): 45-47]

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