Dermatillomania

Dermatillomania, also called skin picking disorder, is when a person picks at their skin over and over, even when it causes pain or damage. It’s more than just a bad habit—it's a mental health condition. People with dermatillomania might pick at their face, arms, hands, or other parts of their body. They may use their fingers or even tools like tweezers. Sometimes, they pick at healthy skin. Other times, they focus on scabs, bumps, or acne. This picking can lead to cuts, scars, and infections. People often feel ashamed or embarrassed, so they try to hide the marks or avoid being seen.

 

Many people with dermatillomania say they feel a strong urge to pick. This feeling can build up slowly, like pressure or tension. Picking gives a brief sense of relief or satisfaction. But afterward, they often feel upset, guilty, or frustrated. Sometimes, people pick without even thinking about it, especially during times of stress, boredom, or while doing something else like watching TV or studying. For others, it’s more planned—they may go to a mirror or search for spots to pick.

 

There are a few reasons someone might develop this disorder. It often begins in the teenage years, around the same time as acne starts to appear. It may be linked to other mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Some people may be more sensitive to stress or may have trouble managing strong emotions. For others, the behavior helps them feel a sense of control or helps them cope with overwhelming feelings. It’s also possible that brain chemicals, like serotonin, play a role.

 

Treatment for dermatillomania can help people feel more in control and improve their daily life. One of the most effective treatments is cognitive behavioural therapy, or CBT. This kind of therapy helps people understand their thoughts, feelings, and actions. A therapist works with the person to figure out what triggers the picking and what they feel right before and after it happens. They learn to spot these patterns and find new ways to respond.

 

In CBT, people also learn new coping skills. For example, instead of picking, they might squeeze a stress ball, use a fidget toy, or keep their hands busy in another way. Therapy may also help with managing stress or strong emotions, which can lead to less picking over time. For people who feel shame or guilt, CBT can help them feel more self-accepting and less alone.

 

Sometimes, medication is used along with therapy, especially if there is also anxiety or depression. But CBT is often the main part of treatment, and it can be very helpful. With time, support, and practice, people with dermatillomania can learn to reduce their skin picking and feel more in control of their lives.

Dermatillomania, also called skin picking disorder, is when a person picks at their skin over and over, even when it causes pain or damage. It’s more than just a bad habit—it's a mental health condition. People with dermatillomania might pick at their face, arms, hands, or other parts of their body. They may use their fingers or even tools like tweezers. Sometimes, they pick at healthy skin. Other times, they focus on scabs, bumps, or acne. This picking can lead to cuts, scars, and infections. People often feel ashamed or embarrassed, so they try to hide the marks or avoid being seen.

 

Many people with dermatillomania say they feel a strong urge to pick. This feeling can build up slowly, like pressure or tension. Picking gives a brief sense of relief or satisfaction. But afterward, they often feel upset, guilty, or frustrated. Sometimes, people pick without even thinking about it, especially during times of stress, boredom, or while doing something else like watching TV or studying. For others, it’s more planned—they may go to a mirror or search for spots to pick.

 

There are a few reasons someone might develop this disorder. It often begins in the teenage years, around the same time as acne starts to appear. It may be linked to other mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Some people may be more sensitive to stress or may have trouble managing strong emotions. For others, the behavior helps them feel a sense of control or helps them cope with overwhelming feelings. It’s also possible that brain chemicals, like serotonin, play a role.

 

Treatment for dermatillomania can help people feel more in control and improve their daily life. One of the most effective treatments is cognitive behavioural therapy, or CBT. This kind of therapy helps people understand their thoughts, feelings, and actions. A therapist works with the person to figure out what triggers the picking and what they feel right before and after it happens. They learn to spot these patterns and find new ways to respond.

 

In CBT, people also learn new coping skills. For example, instead of picking, they might squeeze a stress ball, use a fidget toy, or keep their hands busy in another way. Therapy may also help with managing stress or strong emotions, which can lead to less picking over time. For people who feel shame or guilt, CBT can help them feel more self-accepting and less alone.

 

Sometimes, medication is used along with therapy, especially if there is also anxiety or depression. But CBT is often the main part of treatment, and it can be very helpful. With time, support, and practice, people with dermatillomania can learn to reduce their skin picking and feel more in control of their lives.