[Psycological aspects of the alopecia]

ABSTRACT

Hair plays a primordial role both in relational life for the subject himself natural ornament, privileged belonging of narcissism, and also a symbol of power and virility in man, of seduction and femininity in woman. The loss of hair "alopecia" is a real catastrophe deep narcissism injury, feeling of uncovering. The first patient, aged 22, has shown an alopecia owing to stress which came with the father's disease. Dermatologic results were negative, psychiatric exam showed. The second patient, aged 14, was sent to us to dermatology service for alopecia of brutal appearance with no triggering factor, etiological results were negative. Psychiatric interview pointed out traits of a hysterical personality. Though alopecia aetiology is of various factors, psychological ones would be determining. In the first case the stress was acute, when as it was chronic in the second. Secondary benefit might could to maintain the disorder, than is a situation in the second case. The first case illustrates a decomposition of psychosomatique personality