Many people pick at their skin for different reasons. People may scratch or pick at scabs, rashes, hangnails, or other imperfections. However, some people struggle with repeated skin-picking behaviors. Repeated picking can be a sign of a deeper problem that needs attention.
Some people may wonder if skin-picking is a form of self-harm. This article will explore the roots of skin-picking disorder. You will learn:
- Different reasons people develop compulsive skin-picking behaviors
- If skin-picking is a form of self-harm
- The risks of skin-picking
- How to treat skin-picking
- Where to find mental health treatment
If you or someone you love struggles with skin-picking despite attempts to stop, you are not alone. At Agape Behavioral Health, you can find compassionate treatment and support. Contact our intake team to learn more about our programs or to schedule an intake appointment.
Why Do People Pick Their Skin?
People may engage in repetitive skin-picking on the face, hands, feet, or other areas of the body. Surveys have found an estimated 1-2% of respondents struggle with it. Mental health experts call these behaviors excoriation disorder or dermatillomania. There are many reasons people might pick at their skin. These include:
- Skin conditions that cause itching or blemishes, such as eczema or acne
- Boredom
- Anxiety or stress
- Strong feelings like guilt, shame, or anger
- To regulate senses (most common among people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
In some cases, people may simply pick at their skin out of habit. It can be very challenging for people to stop picking at their skin. However, repetitive picking behaviors can cause significant physical and emotional problems.
Is Skin-Picking a Mental Health Condition?
In some cases, picking at the skin may be a sign of a mental health condition. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) provides information about skin-picking and mental health. Here is an overview of some disorders associated with it.
Body dysmorphic disorder
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) causes preoccupation and obsessive thoughts about perceived physical defects. People with BDD may pick at their skin to improve real or imagined flaws.
Body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRB)
Body-focused repetitive behaviors involve picking, pulling, or biting parts of the body. Some examples of BFRBs include:
- Biting the nails
- Biting the inside of the mouth
- Picking your nose
- Hair pulling
- Picking at the skin
People with BFRBs may spend significant amounts of time engaging in these harmful behaviors.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Some mental health experts consider dermatillomania (skin-picking) a form of OCD. It might include picking at skin imperfections, using tools to scratch or pick, or damaging healthy skin by picking.
Depression and anxiety
People who engage in repetitive, compulsive picking behaviors may be more likely to have mood or anxiety disorders. Picking may provide a temporary sense of control. However, tissue damage, embarrassment, and other issues can negatively impact a person’s daily life. It can also worsen depression and anxiety.
Studies have found that up to 63.4% of people who had skin picking had an anxiety disorder and 53.1% suffered from depression.
Agape Behavioral Center accepts many private insurance plans
Is Skin-Picking Self-Harm?
Skin-picking can damage tissue and cause significant emotional pain. But is it a form of self-harm?
Self-harm is deliberate (on purpose) actions that harm the body. People may self-harm by:
- Cutting their skin with sharp objects
- Hitting or punching their body or other objects
- Burning the body
- Scratching or picking at the skin
In some cases, mental health experts may consider skin-picking a form of self-harm. In others, this might not be an accurate assumption. So, what is the difference?
Skin-picking is a form of self-harm if the person intends to hurt themself by doing it. Someone with anxiety or OCD typically does not want to harm themself when they pick. People who pick at their skin as a form of self-harm do want to hurt themselves.
What are the Risks of Skin Picking?
Picking at the skin can have some significant risks, including:
- Physical damage to the skin
- Physical disfigurement
- Infections
- Scarring
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Shame
People who pick their skin out of boredom or anxiety may be able to learn healthy alternatives on their own. People who engage in skin-picking behaviors to harm themselves or because of a mental health condition may require comprehensive mental health treatment.
How to Treat Skin-Picking
Treatment for skin-picking depends on the reasons behind the behavior. People who pick out of boredom or habit may benefit from habit reversal therapy, which helps them reduce or eliminate harmful behaviors.
People may also benefit from other forms of therapy, including:
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy (MBSR)
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
These therapies help people identify stress, recognize triggers, and tolerate distress. They can also help people work toward meaningful changes, build new coping skills, and reduce harmful behaviors like skin-picking.
People who engage in skin-picking may benefit from comprehensive mental health treatment programs. Comprehensive treatment may include medications, education, family and group counseling, and holistic therapies in addition to talk therapy.
Find Mental Health Treatment Now
If you or someone you love needs help stopping destructive behavior, contact Agape Behavioral Health for treatment and support. You can also schedule an intake appointment with our specialists to learn about our programs.
References:
- National Institute of Health (NIH): Dermatillomania: A Case Report and Literature Review
- NIH: Prevalence of skin picking (excoriation) disorder
- Psychiatry Online: Skin Picking Disorder
