Stimulant-Induced Trichotillomania

ABSTRACT

A prior report described the presentation of cocaine-induced trichotillomania, which resolved with the cessation of cocaine use. Here the authors describe the case of stimulant-induced trichotillomania that resolved with the discontinuation of stimulants and initiation of olanzapine. To the authors' knowledge this is the first reported adult case of stimulant-induced trichotillomania. The case is of a patient with a previous diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder whose symptoms of trichotillomania coincide with abuse of amphetamine and with the resolution of symptoms in the absence of amphetamine use. Given the increase in exposure of prescription amphetamines among adults, further study into the association between stimulants and adverse events such as trichotillomania is needed.

KEYWORDS:

• Amphetamine
• attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
• stimulant
• trichotillomania

The authors thank Drs. Richard Nathanson, Michael Cirrani, and Evan Rieder for their useful input.