Skin picking is an official psychiatric disorder that is grouped under the subcategory of body dysmorphic disorder, specifically the body-focused repetitive behavior [BFRBs]. In other words, the patient feels compelled to scratch the skin, and this can even be unconscious.
Identifying the Signs
Skin picking disorder can cause individuals to scratch at scabs, acne, or blemishes on their skin leading sometimes to infections or long-lasting scars. Episodes may range from minutes to hours in duration. Some individuals experience relief or satisfaction after the picking, while later they have feelings of guilt or embarrassment.
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Causes and Triggers of Skin Picking Disorder
Knowing what makes or triggers skin picking can be a good way to begin managing the behavior and prevent it. Triggers will vary significantly from one individual to another and are probably determined by internal and external factors.
Psychological and Emotional Factors
It is during such emotional conditions as stress, anxiety, or boredom that the individual tends to exhibit skin picking disorder. Sometimes, persons pick when they feel overwrought, and thus, this act relieves or distracts them from the condition momentarily. Others do it in reaction to bad mood, to self-soothe.
Environmental and Situational Triggers
Environmental factors could be psychogenic triggers, such as in front of a mirror or idle hands. Some individuals discovered that they would pick more often when alone, in the bathroom, or while watching television, among other environmental conditions. Knowing these patterns therefore would help come up with strategies to avoid or effectively manage them.
Treatment for Skin Picking Disorder
However, there are many other treatments available which can possibly reduce the symptoms and in turn enhance the functioning. This treatment is among the most beneficial ones, therapy and medication being the treatments of choice.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
One of the successful treatments are CBT and specifically, HRT kind of treatment known as Habit Reversal Training. CBT helps the individual to recognize these thoughts and feelings that trigger picking and even to redirect these urges into other less harmful acts. HRT emphatically targets replacing the behavior of picking with other competing actions, like clenching fist or a fidget toy.
Medication and Other Therapies
Although for some, medication might be used to relieve symptoms, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are sometimes prescribed to individuals because they might reduce compulsive urges. This, however is a prescription and needs to be discussed by a healthcare professional before getting one. Other therapies include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, where individuals learn to accept themselves and reduce the actual act of picking. Self-care and daily practices would include:
Self-Care and Daily Practices to Reduce Skin Picking
Besides these usual habits, to the maximum extent possible, you can incorporate self-care in your daily life to strengthen and cope up with skin picking disorder. You could make healthy habits by negating existing vices and then find out how you can support yourself towards long-run improvement.
A nurturing, rather than examining, daily skincare routine can really be therapeutic. Careful skincare habits may minimize imperfections in the skin, decreasing the ability to pick. Last but not least, regular exercise, healthy eating, and proper sleep can contribute to good mental well-being, which in itself is a factor that can help reduce picking.
In addition, a range of products can be used to prevent picking, such as fidget toys, gloves, or Band-Aids applied over areas where you tend to pick. Any of these will limit access to problem areas and keep your hands occupied when the urge to pick arises. For some people, some skincare products-soothing or healing properties-reduce the urge to pick.
