Dermotillomania-Excoriation Disorder
Excoriation disorder (also referred to as chronic skin-picking or dermatillomania) is a mental illness related to obsessive-compulsive disorder. It is characterized by repeated picking at one’s own skin which results in skin lesions and causes significant disruption in one’s life.
Clstr1:
Wik1: W060
Diagnoses: Dermotillimania (Excoriation Disorder)
USPatnts: Est. 4%
WrldPatnts:
SexRatio: M;F+
AveOnset: Can be permanent
Brain Area: anterior cingulate cortices-not inhibiting uncontrollable picking; inadequate SAPAP3 gene may also be a factor
Symptoms: picking sores into skin on the body; follows tension with relief following the act; mostly on the face by fingers or tools
Progression & Effects: causes scarring and disfigurement followed by shame and guilt; 11.5% attempt suicide; 79% pleasure with picking skin
Causes: childhood sexual abuse, rage against authoritarian parents, dealing with stress; affected by other itching conditions
Productive Medications: SSRI (antidepressants which increase serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain)antianxiety, antipsychotics; inositol
Productive Therapies: habit reversal training (for example, close a fist for one minute instead of picking when the urge arose)
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Youtube Video: Skin Picking Disorder (Dermatillomania)
Amazon or Library Book: Skin Picking-The Freedom to Finally Stop
Click the book to link or order from Amazon.
4 CURRENT ARTICLES
FROM PUBMED
The world-wide medical research
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PubMed article’s summary-abstract.
- New and emerging pharmacologic treatment options for skin-picking disorderby Nina Modanlo on February 22, 2025
No abstract
- Exploring skin picking disorder: aetiology, treatment, and future directionsby Hamad Alfahaad on January 29, 2025
Skin picking disorder (SPD) is a psychiatric condition characterized by repetitive picking of the skin, causing damage to tissue and significant distress. Despite its prevalence and impact, SPD remains understudied and often overlooked in clinical practice. This review thoroughly examines SPD, including its epidemiology, aetiology, clinical presentation, methods of treatment, challenges, and future directions. The review highlights the multifactorial nature of SPD, involving genetic,...
- Therapist-Guided Internet-Delivered Acceptance-Enhanced Behavior Therapy for Skin-Picking Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trialby Mia Asplund on January 15, 2025
Despite its high prevalence, individuals suffering from skin-picking disorder (SPD) face limited access to treatment due to several factors, including geographical and economic barriers, as well as a shortage of properly trained therapists. Offering Internet-delivered therapy could be a solution to these barriers. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of therapist-guided Internet-delivered acceptance-enhanced behavior therapy (iBT) for SPD compared to a wait-list control condition....
- Skin Picking Disorder: A Canadian Retrospective Study of 83 Patientsby Louis Deschênes on January 6, 2025
CONCLUSIONS: This large-scale retrospective assessment of patients diagnosed with SPD broadens the scope of a frequent disorder in dermatology, showing older age patients, unexpected psychiatric comorbidities and inadequate continuity of care. Results highlight the need for a collaborative approach and for frequent reassessments of these patients.