[Psychosomatics of alopecia areata: apropos of 43 cases]

A study on forty three children with alopecia areata is reported. All of them were first studied in the dermatology section, and no organic etiology was found in any of them. They were checked by a personnel interview, projective test and thematic drawing. We investigated age at onset, predisposing event and association with another psychosomatic pathology. A well-defined familial type and a vulnerable nature were found. Results after a four years period of follow-up and treatment with personnel and group psychotherapy are evaluated.