All You Need To Know About Excoriation Disorder Treatment- Compulsive Skin Picking
Excoriation disorder, also known as compulsive skin-picking disorder or dermatillomania, is a mental health condition that causes people to excessively pick at their skin to the point of damaging it. It can be a difficult disorder to live with and can have serious physical and psychological consequences. Fortunately, there are a range of treatments available for those with excoriation disorder. In this blog post, we’ll be exploring everything you need to know about excoriation disorder treatment, from the different types of treatments available to tips for finding the right treatment plan for you.
What is Compulsive Skin Picking Disorder?
Compulsive Skin Picking disorder, more commonly referred to as compulsive skin picking, is a mental health condition characterized by the recurrent and excessive picking of one’s skin. People who suffer from this condition may pick at moles, acne, scabs, and other skin blemishes in an attempt to remove them or feel relief. Excoriation disorder is classified as an impulse control disorder, along with conditions such as kleptomania, pyromania, and trichotillomania. It is estimated that 1-5% of the population struggles with this disorder. The most common body parts to be picked are the face, arms, legs, and hands.
The condition can cause psychological distress, physical discomfort, disfigurement, and even secondary infections if not treated properly. People who suffer from excoriation disorder may also experience anxiety, guilt, shame, and embarrassment due to the nature of their behavior. This behavior can also be a source of conflict within relationships due to the physical effects it can have on the individual.
What Causes Compulsive Skin Picking Disorder?
Compulsive Skin Picking disorder, also known as skin-picking disorder or dermatillomania, is a mental health condition that involves repetitive picking at one's own skin, often resulting in skin damage. The exact cause of excoriation disorder is unknown, but experts believe it may be linked to underlying psychological conditions such as depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive-disorder. Additionally, some studies suggest that it may be caused by environmental factors such as stress, physical trauma, and skin infections.
It is thought that skin picking may be the result of a combination of both biological and psychological factors. Biological factors include genetics and brain chemistry, while psychological factors are typically related to experiences such as childhood trauma, social isolation, and perceived defects in physical appearance. Additionally, some evidence suggests that hormones may play a role in the development of excoriation disorder.
How is Excoriation Disorder diagnosed?
When diagnosing excoriation disorder, doctors will take into account the patient’s symptoms, family history, and other factors. They may also refer the patient for psychological assessment to determine if there are any underlying psychological issues that may be causing the behavior.
In order to diagnose excoriation disorder, doctors typically look for certain characteristics of the condition. These include skin picking that occurs repeatedly on one or more body parts, an inability to stop skin picking despite various attempts to do so, feelings of tension before or during skin picking, and relief or pleasure after skin picking.
The doctor may also look for signs of infection or scarring caused by skin picking and ask the patient questions about their skin-picking behavior. The doctor may then discuss treatment options with the patient and refer them to a mental health professional if necessary.
Treatment for excoriation disorder typically involves medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of both. Medication may include antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs to reduce the urge to pick at the skin, while psychotherapy may involve cognitive behavioral therapy and other strategies to help the patient manage the condition.
It is important to note that treatment should be tailored to the individual, so it is important to discuss treatment options with a qualified doctor or mental health professional. For more information regarding this, you can visit OCD and Anxiety Online.
