| Dermatillomania is an obsessive compulsive disorder | | | | If the disorder is generally an unconscious habit, the |
| where a person has an intense urge and need to pick | | | | primary treatment is a form of cognitive-behavioral |
| at their own skin. It is a disorder that consists of | | | | therapy called habit reversal training (HRT). HRT is |
| body focused repetitive behavior. For people with | | | | based on the principle that skin-picking is a |
| this disorder, the urge to pick at their own skin is so | | | | conditioned response to specific situations and |
| strong that often damage is done to the skin that | | | | events, and that the individual with dermatillomania is |
| doesn't heal correctly or it leaves scars. Picking at | | | | frequently unaware of these triggers. |
| their skin is a stress release and a coping mechanism | | | | HRT challenges the problem in a two-fold process. |
| for those with this disorder. | | | | First, the individual with this disorder learns how to |
| Those who suffer from this disorder often feel | | | | become more consciously aware of situations and |
| shame and are embarrassed by their behavior and | | | | events that trigger skin-picking episodes. Second, the |
| they try to hide the evidence of their disorder. | | | | individual learns to utilize alternative behaviors in |
| Individuals with this disorder often attempt to | | | | response to these situations and events. |
| camouflage the damage caused to their skin by using | | | | In many cases, cognitive-behavioral therapy is most |
| make-up or wearing clothes to cover the subsequent | | | | effective when combined with the use of |
| marks and scars. | | | | mood-stabilizing medications. Hypnosis, self-hypnosis |
| In extreme cases, individuals with this disorder may | | | | and meditation have also been useful for some |
| avoid social situations in an effort to prevent others | | | | patients. |
| from seeing the scars, scabs, and bruises that result | | | | There are a number of other therapeutic techniques |
| from skin picking. | | | | that can be used as adjuncts to HRT. Among these |
| Fortunately, there is a growing interest in | | | | are exposure and response prevention (ERP) and |
| understanding and treating the disorder. Several skin | | | | stimulus control techniques. ERP, which is the primary |
| picking treatment options are becoming available but | | | | treatment for obsessive-compulsive (OC) disorders |
| there is still much more being left unsaid, even | | | | and many OC spectrum disorders, is most valuable if |
| undiscovered as yet, about this disfiguring and | | | | the individual with dermatillomania is already aware of |
| dangerous obsession. | | | | the specific situations and events that trigger |
| Medications used to treat this disorder are also used | | | | skin-picking episodes. |
| to treat many obsessive compulsive disorders and | | | | Stimulus control techniques involve utilizing physical |
| anxiety related disorders. For example, artificial | | | | items such as gloves or rubber fingertip covers to |
| fingernails (acrylic or gel) have been found to be | | | | reduce the client's ability to pick at his or her skin. |
| useful to some in stopping the picking behavior. It is | | | | Also, medications that are frequently used to treat |
| recommended to never try any medications without | | | | OC disorders may be valuable adjuncts to |
| first consulting a physician. | | | | cognitive-behavioral therapy in the treatment of |
| The primary treatment modality depends on the level | | | | compulsive skin picking. |
| of awareness the individual has regarding the problem. | | | | |