A case of trichotillomania and bulimia nervosa in a patient with adult‐onset attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Abstract

Key Clinical MessageIdentifying any potential comorbidity such as bulimia nervosa (BN) and ADHD in trichotillomania patients is essential for a thorough treatment plan. Combining a multidisciplinary approach was found to be feasible and effective in the treatment.AbstractTrichotillomania is frequently considered an isolated disorder; nevertheless, emerging evidence suggests that other psychiatric conditions, including obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD), eating disorders, and attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), are often found to coexist. Several studies showed that eating disorders, such as bulimia nervosa, were found in chronic hair‐pullers, while OCD was considered a factor in predicting the prevalence of eating disorders, as well as the severity of trichotillomania in the populations. While the relationship between trichotillomania and OCD has been quite well‐documented, the evidence of its association with bulimia nervosa and ADHD remains limited. Here, we report a case of trichotillomania with comorbid bulimia nervosa, major depressive disorder, and ADHD.