Hypnotherapy: an effective treatment modality for trichotillomania

This study describes a non-pharmacological treatment modality for children with trichotillomania. Three children with trichotillomania were treated us ing a hypnotherapy technique. All patients were observed in the outpatient clinic for 8 consecutive weeks and subsequently followed for 12-18 months. All children were cooperative in performing the hypnotherapy technique (rel axation/mental imagery). Two patients reported complete resolution of their complaints after 7-8 weeks and 1 patient after 16 weeks. The latter, repor ting recurrence of the complaint after 4 weeks due to stressful school prob lems, was resolved after successful retreatment over 3 weeks. During a mean follow-up period of 16 months, there were no recurrences. in conclusion, h ypnotherapy may be considered as a primary treatment modality for trichotil lomania in children without associated emotional disorders.