Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 15, 2025

Vagus Nerve Stimulation As an Adjunctive Neurostimulation Tool in Treatment-resistant Depression
Published on: January 7, 2019
Pharmacotherapy for trichotillomania in adults
Christine Baczynski1, Verinder Sharma1,2
1Parkwood Institute , London, Canada.
Introduction:
Currently conceptualized as an obsessive compulsive and related disorder, trichotillomania, or hair-pulling disorder, is a common illness that causes significant distress or functional impairments in various life domains. Most individuals with trichotillomania also have other comorbid diagnoses. Treating trichotillomania with pharmacotherapy is complicated since there are currently no FDA-approved drugs for its treatment.
Areas Covered:
The databases PubMed, PsychINFO, CINAHL, Evidence-based Medicine Reviews, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched, yielding a total of 10 open trials and 10 controlled trials selected. This review aims to examine pharmacotherapeutic options for the treatment of trichotillomania in adults and makes recommendations for the assessment and management of the disorder.
Expert Opinion:
There is preliminary evidence that clomipramine, olanzapine, and N-acetylcysteine may be effective in cases of trichotillomania, however, given the paucity of controlled studies with large sample sizes, decisions regarding the use of drugs should be made on a case-by-case basis taking into account the severity of trichotillomania and the nature of psychiatric comorbidity.
Related Concept Videos
Behavior Therapy
Exposure therapy is a cornerstone of behavioral treatment for anxiety disorders. It involves systematic exposure to feared stimuli, either in real...
Antidepressant Drugs: MAOIs and Other Agents
Anxiolytic Drugs: Overview
Primary Types of Anxiolytic Drugs
1. Benzodiazepines:
Benzodiazepines bind to the GABA-A receptor in the brain, enhancing GABA's interaction. This action reduces neurotransmission, effectively blocking anxiety-associated limbic...
Drug Therapy
Antianxiety Medications
Antidepressant Drugs: Tricyclics, SSRIs, and SNRIs
Operant Conditioning Intervention
In operant conditioning, behaviors that are...

