Excoriating Disorder: The Details On Treatment You Need To Know 

Excoriation disorder or skin-picking disorder causes an individual to compulsively pick at their skin, leading to physical damage and emotional distress. This condition can have a significant impact on the quality of life for those who suffer from it, but thankfully there are effective treatments available. In this blog post, we will discuss the details of treatment for excoriation disorder, including the various therapeutic approaches, medications, and lifestyle adjustments that can help individuals manage and reduce their skin-picking behaviors.

What Is Excoriation Disorder?

Excoriation disorder is often repetitive and can lead to significant damage to the skin and emotional distress. People with excoriation disorder may pick at their skin because they feel a strong urge or compulsion to do so, even when they don’t want to, or they may be unaware that they are doing it. The behavior usually starts as a result of stress or anxiety but can become a compulsive habit if not addressed properly. Common areas where excoriation disorder manifests are on the face, scalp, arms, legs, and hands, but any part of the body can be affected. The most common symptom is the presence of scabs, marks, cuts, bruises, or other types of physical damage caused by skin picking.

What Are The Causes?

The exact cause of excoriation disorder is unknown, however, there are a few risk factors associated with developing the condition. Studies have shown that it can be hereditary, with some evidence suggesting a strong family history of depression or anxiety. It has also been linked to stressful life events or trauma and can often be a symptom of underlying mental health issues such as low self-esteem or depression. Other conditions that have been associated with excoriation disorder include autism spectrum disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), ADHD and substance abuse. It is also important to note that the condition can sometimes develop without any identifiable triggers or underlying medical conditions.

How Is It Diagnosed?

Excoriation disorder is typically diagnosed by a mental health professional, such as a psychologist, psychiatrist, or social worker. In order to diagnose excoriation disorder, they will ask questions about the patient’s symptoms, family history, and any other related mental health issues. The mental health professional will also look for evidence of the patient picking, scratching, or scraping their skin.

The American Psychiatric Association has issued guidelines to help professionals diagnose excoriation disorder. The patient must exhibit recurrent skin picking that results in skin lesions. These skin lesions must cause the patient significant distress and impair their social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. The skin picking behavior must not be caused by substance use, medication side effects, or medical illness. The diagnosis of excoriation disorder can be made regardless of the underlying cause.

If the patient meets these criteria, then the mental health professional may diagnose them with excoriation disorder. It is important to note that excoriation disorder is often comorbid with other mental illnesses, so it is important to assess the patient for other conditions as well. For more information, you can visit BFRB Online.