Untreated trichophagia secondary to trichotillomania is a
potentially life-threatening condition. Taking a thorough
family and social history, most notably with the aid of a
genogram or family tree, can aid in including this disorder
in the differential diagnosis. This case presentation describes
a unique occurrence of untreated trichotillomania in a female
adolescent that led to formation of a trichobezoar requiring
emergent surgical intervention and follow-up psychiatric
treatment. This case highlights osteopathic medicine’s fundamental
concept of treating the whole person rather than
just symptoms by considering factors such as genetic influences
in understanding disease.