Skin Picking Disorder is the constant picking of skin until that body part has been mutilated. It is a mental disorder when a person constantly picks the skin until it reaches tissue damage. It also causes so much distress and problems in terms of work, social, or other daily activities. Since this is a form of self-mutilation, the situation is very grave considering the one afflicted is not aware that what he or she is doing may lead to permanent tissue damage.
There are a lot of causes for skin picking disorder. Since psychiatrists classify this behavior as an impulse control disorder, it is probably caused by a combination of environmental and biological factors. People suffering from dermatillomania often have psychological symptoms such as depression and anxiety. Until now, there is no exact cause that can be traced to this condition.
Why do people continue to pick on their skin? There are various and different reasons for this. One is to soothe them when they are stressed. A number of people crave for that relaxing feeling and they only achieve it once they pick skin. The nervous system is relieved and relaxed once skin picking is achieved. Second is for stimulation. If the person is idle or bored, chances are they would pick their skin to achieve stimulation. Skin picking is their own way to combat boredom because it helps them focus on the tasks at hand.
Skin picking disorder has a lot of treatments. Even though more research is needed on treatments, some research suggests that CBT or cognitive behavioral therapy may help with this condition. The treatment requires the person to replace old, bad habits with new and constructive ones. In addition, ACT or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy will also help in treating this problem. Researches believed that in take of drugs like Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors can treat the condition of skin picking. The medications include fluovamine, fluoxetine, and escitalopram.
All of those mentioned are treatments for skin picking. Unfortunately, a lot of people still don’t have a clue and what are the repercussions of compulsive skin picking.