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Skin Picking Disorders

Some individuals are afflicted with compulsive disorders, including skin picking and hair picking. These practices can be damaging to the skin (and hair), and to the person's appearance and health, but he may be unable to refrain from this repetitive behavior. Some people aren't even aware that they're engaging in it.

  1. Body Dysmorphic Disorder

    • A mental health condition called body dysmorphic disorder manifests itself in obsessive concern about one's physical appearance and numerous perceived imperfections, according to the Mayo Clinic. Other names for this disorder are "imagined ugliness" and dysmorphobia, which is the fear of having a deformity. One of the symptoms of this condition is skin picking. A quarter of those individuals suffering from body dysmorphic disorder will be skin pickers.

    Dermatillomania

    • Skin picking, dermatillomania, is a form of self-mutilation, according to BrainPhysics.com, a mental health resource. At its worst, it can destroy an individual's skin. The face is usually the target, although compulsive skin picking can involve any part of the body. If an individual is constantly picking at her skin, it can result in scarring, bruises, bleeding and infections. This condition is considered an impulse control disorder.

    OCD

    • Approximately one-third of the individuals suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) will also have compulsive skin picking. Because it is a repetitive behavior, it is included in the obsessive compulsive spectrum. Skin picking may be genetic because it tends to run in families.

    Perfectionists

    • Skin pickers may also be perfectionists who spend vast amounts of time looking at themselves in the mirror. Ironically, although they desire perfection, their skin looks much worse after they pick at it and cause it to bleed, bruise or scar. Skin pickers may find picking their skin to be soothing and relaxing, or they may find that it provides stimulation when they are bored, according to BrainPhysics.com.

    Self-Monitoring

    • If an individual learns to self monitor, he may be able to overcome this condition. Many people who are skin pickers aren't aware that they're doing it. Being aware of and acknowledging what you are doing may help break the process, and control the obsessive and damaging behavior.

    Research on Mice

    • BrainPhysics.com explains that there are a number of animals that take part in out-of-control scratching and skin picking. That has led scientists to believe than an abnormal grooming mechanism in the animals' brains results in these behaviors. As scientists studied this phenomenon, they purposely created mice that were missing a gene. The lack of this gene prompted the mice to take part in excessive and compulsive grooming, which lead to bare spots and missing fur. It was determined that this behavior was exacerbated if the mice were under stress. This discovery may lead to more information on compulsive disorders and how to prevent or how to treat them.

    Antidepressants and Cognitive Behavior Therapy

    • Antidepressants have been effective in treating this disorder. Drug therapy, along with cognitive behavior therapy, is recommended for someone suffering with this affliction.

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