![]() Although many people will pick at their skin or nails, a small percentage of the population (2-5%) pick to the extent that it causes significant distress, tissue damage and interferes with daily functioning. These behaviors usually result in damage to the skin such as scarring or discoloration. In this case, a person may pick, rub, scratch or dig into their skin repetitively in an attempt to improve perceived imperfections. It is often difficult for family members to cope as well, and sometimes the person is affected by other health issues related to the Trich or suffers with anxiety or other mental health issues.Įxcoriation or Skin Picking, also know as dermatillomania, is another BFRB. The severity of the condition varies, and it can come and go, but what we do know is that the situation may worsen with time without treatment. The research indicates that 1-2 people in 50 may experience trichotillomania in their lifetime. This disorder usually begins in late childhood or early adolescence and occurs equally in males and females, although by adulthood most of the persons affected are female. I would be happy to discuss how I may be able to help.Trichotillomania (trick-o-till-o-may-nee-uh) (TTM or “trich”), also known as hair pulling disorder, is characterized by the repetitive pulling out of one’s hair. Trichotillomania is a Body Focused Repetitive Behavior (BFRB) and part of a group of behaviors in which a person causes harm to the body through pulling, picking, scraping or biting hair, skin, or nails. ![]() If you or someone you know is suffering from BFRBs and would like to explore treatment options, please get in touch with me. ![]() Get on the phone with them and don’t be shy about asking them some questions. When looking for therapists in your local area, be sure they have experience with BFRB treatments. To reiterate, finding a mental health professional who is well-versed in using behavioral science and behavioral interventions is key. This therapy helps people recognize their patterns and manage any negative emotions associated with them. Once the trigger has been identified, therapy focuses on changing the reaction to the trigger, or the behavior.Īnother treatment option that may prove effective is called Habit Reversal Training. CBT helps individuals deal with repetitive behaviors by helping them identify the triggers that cause the behavior in the first place. The biggest treatment recommendation for BFRBs is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). This can be the difference between receiving treatment that has little or no impact and treatment that is very helpful. It’s important to mention that professional help should be received from a mental health provider that has been specially trained to treat BFRB’s. While we don’t know the exact reasons or mechanisms for development, we now recognize specific treatments that have been proven effective. The question of why people engage in these repetitive behaviors has challenged mental health professionals for many years. ![]() The behaviors can include hair pulling, skin picking, nail-biting, knuckle cracking, and tooth grinding, to name some. According to the TLC Foundation for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors, the term body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRB) describes a group of behaviors thought to be related to anxiety disorders, impulse control disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
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