Trichotillomania with trichobezoar in 11-year-old girl - difficulties of recognizing the disorder and possible complications: case report

Introduction Trichobezoar is a rare entity that primarily occurs as complication of psychiatric disorders, most often in adolescent and young females suffering from trichotillomania (TTM) trichophagia. In many cases, children with TTM unwillingly admit hair pulling, deny ingesting feel ashamed their disease try to hide it. Objectives Our main aim was present an uncommon trichophagia point out the importance early diagnosis prevention complications disorder. Furthermore, we describe role child’s psychological features family dynamics etiopathogenesis TTM, well comorbidities specific clinical presentation. Methods Case report. Results An 11-year-old girl admitted pediatric department due abdominal pain. After detailed differential diagnosis, trichobezoar diagnosed she treated surgically. While did not her hair, three months after surgery (TTM dermatologically verified beginning treatment) mentioned focused pulling for first time. During individual cognitive behavioral psychotherapy following recognized patient: perfectionism traits, inhibition expressing emotions, elements depression, anxiety. alexithymia were observed. Conclusions Cooperation among medical experts (pediatrician, dermatologist, child psychiatrist, surgeon etc.) awareness this disorder important recognizing it at stage starting treatment, especially considering habit-forming mechanism, comorbidity, emotional distress preventing other including trichobezoars. Keywords adolescents, trichobezoar, trichophagia, Disclosure Interest None Declared