Understanding Skin Picking Disorder
Skin picking disorder, also known as dermatillomania, is a condition where you may find yourself compulsively picking at your skin, often leading to injuries, infections, and scarring. It’s an obsessive habit that can be difficult to break. About 1.4% of adults in the UK experience this condition, which often begins in adolescence or adulthood and may persist without intervention.
Living with skin picking disorder can be challenging, particularly as it often coexists with anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions. The behaviour typically develops gradually, causing distress and discomfort over time. Skin picking disorder is sometimes linked to other conditions like Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), adding complexity to managing your mental health.
Although managing skin picking disorder isn’t easy, there is hope. Therapy, especially Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and in some cases, medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can help you manage the symptoms and improve your well-being. If you think you might have this condition, it’s important to seek support—effective treatments are available that can significantly improve your quality of life.
Dermatillomania affects 1 in 20, with women more likely to be affected
It is often associated with OCD
The disorder often begins in adolescence, with many individuals reporting symptoms starting in their teenage years
Up to 50% of those with skin picking disorder also have anxiety or depression
Exploring the Causes of Skin Picking
Skin picking disorder involves the repetitive urge to pick at your skin, sometimes causing harm. This behaviour can stem from various factors. Genetics may play a role, as the disorder often runs in families. Brain chemistry can also influence skin picking, particularly in areas linked to learning and habit formation. Emotional factors such as stress and anxiety frequently trigger episodes, while physical factors like scabs or skin conditions may contribute to the urge to pick.
This disorder is often linked to other mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). It’s more commonly seen in women and typically begins in adolescence. Substance abuse, particularly with drugs like methamphetamine or cocaine, can also worsen symptoms.
Triggers for skin picking vary widely. They might include feelings of stress, the search for relief, or even the sense of satisfaction that comes with picking. The condition shares similarities with OCD, involving intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviours aimed at reducing distress. Understanding these triggers is a key part of treatment.
What are the symptoms & effects?
Recognising the Symptoms of Skin Picking Disorder
Skin picking disorder can manifest in two main forms: automatic picking, where you pick unconsciously, and focused picking, where you spend time deliberately picking specific areas. Common areas affected include the face, scalp, neck, arms, hands, legs, and feet.
The emotional impact of skin picking disorder is significant. It can cause shame, embarrassment, and distress, often affecting your daily life. You may find yourself avoiding social situations or hiding the evidence of your picking, which can lead to isolation. Physically, the disorder can cause scarring, infections, and pain. In severe cases, medical intervention may be required to treat the damage caused by picking.
If you find that skin picking is affecting your life, it’s important to seek help. Recognising the signs and taking steps to manage the behaviour can lead to significant improvements in your emotional and physical well-being.
How can it be managed?
Managing Skin Picking Disorder
Managing skin picking disorder involves a combination of self-help strategies and professional support. Here’s how you can start taking control:
Identifying Triggers
Understanding what triggers your urge to pick is a crucial first step. Triggers may include stress, anxiety, or perfectionism. Keeping a diary can help you track these triggers and develop strategies to avoid them.
Therapy and Support
Therapies like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy (SFH) can be very helpful in managing skin picking disorder. CBT helps you identify and change the thoughts and behaviours driving the urge to pick, while SFH focuses on building positive coping mechanisms.
Developing Coping Strategies
Engaging in activities that keep your hands busy, such as knitting or using stress balls, can help divert your attention from picking. Mindfulness techniques and stress management exercises can also reduce the urge to pick.
Behavioural Techniques
Habit reversal training, a technique used in CBT, teaches you to replace the habit of picking with healthier behaviours. Physical barriers, such as wearing gloves, can also help prevent picking. Incorporating regular exercise and mindfulness practices into your routine can reduce stress and decrease the frequency of episodes.
Medication
In some cases, medications like SSRIs may be prescribed, especially if your skin picking is linked to anxiety or depression. These medications can help reduce the urge to pick by addressing the underlying mental health issues.
Seeking Professional Help
If skin picking disorder is affecting your daily life, it’s important to seek professional support. A doctor or therapist can help you explore treatment options, including therapy, medication, or a combination of approaches. Remember, you’re not alone, and with the right support, you can manage the condition and improve your quality of life.
How can hypnotherapy help?
Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy (SFH) offers a compassionate and effective way to manage skin picking disorder. Your journey begins with a detailed conversation with your hypnotherapist to explore your unique experiences and needs, ensuring the therapy is tailored to your goals.
During SFH sessions, you’ll be guided into a deeply relaxed state, similar to daydreaming. In this state, your therapist introduces positive suggestions and visualisations, helping to reduce your urges and create healthier habits. This process connects with your subconscious mind, where these positive changes can take root.
Personalised and Flexible
Hypnotherapy is flexible and adapted to fit your specific needs. Many people notice significant improvements in their symptoms after a few sessions, with reduced stress, improved sleep, and a better overall sense of well-being. SFH also supports positive lifestyle changes, helping you break the habits that contribute to skin picking.
Lasting Relief and Resilience
As you continue with hypnotherapy, you may find your confidence growing and your outlook becoming more positive. Hypnotherapy helps calm the underlying stress and anxiety that contribute to skin picking, offering lasting relief and empowering you to take charge of your well-being.
Choosing SFH means embracing a holistic approach that addresses both the mental and physical aspects of skin picking disorder. It integrates seamlessly with other treatments, supporting your long-term recovery and resilience.
Our Skin Picking & Biting – Dermatillomania & Dematophagia Specialists
Carmen Harrington
Market Harborough
Caroline Prout
Thrapston
Chris Johannes
Spalding
Claire Noyelle
Maidstone East
Dawn Ibbetson
Chelmsford
Gary Johannes
Peterborough
Jill Whitehouse
Newcastle upon Tyne
Keeley Smith
Southend-on-Sea
Kerry Seymour
Weston-super-Mare
Peter Ely
Islington
Why Choose Inspired To Change
Our solution focused hypnotherapists empower you to better understand your brain, helping to guide you towards solutions and achieve the outcomes you want. We have a team of fully trained hypnotherapists, giving you the choice of who to work with and how you want to work with them. Solution focused hypnotherapy is just as effective in-person or online in the comfort of your own home, so you can find the ideal therapist to help you reach your goals.
Every one of our hypnotherapists is recognised by governing bodies like the National Council for Hypnotherapy, the UK’s leading not-for-profit hypnotherapy professional association. They have all trained with Clifton Practice Hypnotherapy Training, one of the leading hypnotherapy schools in the UK.
