Excoriation disorder
(also referred to as chronic skin-picking or dermatillomania) is a mental illness related to obsessive-compulsive disorder. It is characterized by repeated picking at one’s own skin which results in skin lesions and causes significant disruption in one’s life.
Why do I compulsively pick my skin?
People may pick their skin for various reasons.
Some may feel compelled to remove perceived imperfections
, while others pick in response to stress, boredom, or out of habit. In many ways, skin picking disorder is a repetitive or obsessive grooming behavior similar to other BFRBs, such as hair pulling and nail picking.
What type of OCD is skin picking?
Skin picking disorder is currently classified as
an impulse control disorder
. Skin picking disorder is also sometimes referred to as a “body focused repetitive behavior.” It is also sometimes referred to as an “obsessive compulsive spectrum disorder” (or “OC spectrum disorder”) because it shares features of OCD.
Can dermatillomania be cured?
Fortunately, BFRBs such as dermatillomania are considered
very treatable problems
. The primary treatment for dermatillomania is behavior therapy. Behavior therapy is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
Is picking at your skin a symptom of anxiety?
Causes of skin picking disorder
Skin picking disorder is related to obsessive compulsive disorder, where the person cannot stop themselves carrying out a particular action. It can be triggered by: boredom. stress or
anxiety
.
What triggers dermatillomania?
While dermatillomania can be triggered by
negative emotions such as anxiety
, it isn’t always; boredom, for example, is just as common a trigger. What’s more, any pain caused by skin-picking is rarely the intention; instead, the behaviors often are experienced as soothing or relaxing, at least in the moment.
Is dermatillomania a mental illness?
Excoriation disorder (also referred to as chronic skin-picking or dermatillomania) is
a mental illness related to obsessive-compulsive disorder
. It is characterized by repeated picking at one’s own skin which results in skin lesions and causes significant disruption in one’s life.
What should you not say to someone with dermatillomania?
BFRBs
are real biological problems and not a rebellion to upset you or signs of weakness. Don’t talk about it loudly where other people may hear about it. Sarcasm, Shaming, embarrassing, and blaming your partner will only make it worse. This is also toxic to your relationship.
How do you heal picked skin?
To heal the physical effects of picking or more extreme cases of excoriation disorder, Dr. Chiu recommends using a
gentle facial cleanser followed by a soothing balm or serum
to maintain skin hydration.
Is skin picking always OCD?
Skin picking itself is not indicative of obsessive-compulsive disorder
(OCD). Many people engage in skin picking behavior when they have a scab or a pimple, or just pick at their cuticles. However, compulsive skin picking can be evidence of OCD or another obsessive-compulsive or related disorder.
How do I know if I have Dermatillomania?
- Skin picking.
- Compulsively rubbing skin.
- Skin scratching.
- Repetitive touching.
- Digging into skin.
- Squeezing skin repetitively.
What medication is used for skin picking?
SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) such as Prozac
are the best-studied class of medicines for skin picking.
Is dermatillomania serious?
Dermatillomania or skin picking disorder is characterized by repetitive skin picking leading to tissue damage. Skin picking disorder can lead
to serious medical conditions
, such as Scarring, ulcerations and infections (1).
How common is dermatillomania?
Skin-picking disorder, also referred to as excoriation disorder or dermatillomania, is believed to affect
as many as one in 20 people
.
How do you treat dermatillomania scars?
- Laser – The best solution to any type of scar removal is Laser. …
- Cryotherapy – Cryotherapy is used along with other treatments to avoid the growth of Keloid like scars.
Is dermatillomania an addiction?
Many people struggling with addiction also have a
skin picking addiction
, also known as dermatillomania. Skin picking disorders are classified as a type of obsessive-compulsive disorder due to the compulsive nature of the picking.
