Compulsion beyond hairpulling

Abstract

A mass of hair found trapped in the gastrointestinal system is termed a trichobezoar. Complications such as gastric ulceration, bleeding, perforation, and intestinal obstruction may occur. There is a relative paucity of reports on trichobezoars in psychiatry compared to the surgical literature. Here, we present a case of trichotillomania and pica leading to intestinal obstruction. Our aim was to emphasize the importance of considering trichobezoars as one of the differentials in cases of patients presenting with unexplained abdominal pain, even if clear signs of trichotillomania are not present.

Keywords

• bezoar
• obstruction
• pica
• trichobezoar
• trichotillomania