It’s Not “Just a Bad Habit” What are Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors? i.e. a group of behaviors in which an individual damages his or her appearance or causes physical injury.
Dermotillomania (Nail Biting or Skin Picking)
Trichotillomania (Hair Pulling)
-aka Excoriation disorder, characterized by uncontrollable picking, peeling, biting at skin or nails.
-The recurrent pulling out of one’s own hair, leading to hair loss and emotional distress.
- Affects around 1.4% of the population.
-Pulling occurs most commonly from the individual’s scalp, eyelashes, and eyebrows.
-could also include cheek biting and joint cracking
-This condition is thought to affect about every 4 in 100 people or 3.5% of the population.
Symptoms / Triggers
Other Disorders/OCD Body focused repetitive behaviors can coincide with other mental problems such as - Depression - Anxiety - Body Dismorphia - Obessive Compulsive Disorder
The root cause differs but can be brought on by stress, bordom, anxiety, and depression. -Can be a coping mechasism brought on my chaos or trauma in childhood. -The symptoms cause significant distress, shame, or impairment
What Are Treatment Options?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and/or meditation practices
Medications -N-Acetylcysteine (NAC), -antidepressants - anti anxiety
by Martha Sprout
NMC MAGAZINE
26
Stimulas Control - practice mindfulness -buy a figet toy or bracelet -do some journaling - find a support group
