Understanding Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors

You have probably known people who absentmindedly chew their fingernails. But have you ever known someone who either pulls out her own hair or picks at his skin to the point of causing infections and permanent scarring? These conditions, along with hair pulling, comprise a rather unique group of mental health disorders referred to as body-focused repetitive behaviors, or BFRBs.

The Experience of Body-Focused Repetitive Disorders

Although currently BFRBs are considered to be impulse control disorders, there continues to be some questions among mental health experts as to whether they should be considered obsessive-compulsive disorders instead. Interestingly, this disagreement stems from people with these conditions experiencing the symptoms in different ways.

For example, some people will consider their BFRB as a bad habit and don't even recognize they're doing it until they notice the effects of the behavior later.

However, others suffering from BFRBs feel compelled to do the behavior and feel they cannot control themselves. They are consumed with thoughts of the disturbing behavior. Even though they're aware they're practicing the behavior, they are unable to stop it.

Types of Body-Focused Repetitive Disorders

Skin picking, known as, dermotillomania or neurotic excoriation, occurs when a person pinches, picks at or generally scratches his own skin repetitively. Those who engage in this disorder might be covered with scabs or reddened areas on their arms, legs and face. It wouldn't be unusual for people dealing with skin picking to have skin infections or a lot of scarring due to these behaviors.

Trichotillomania, hair pulling, involves a person pulling out her own hair to the point of having bald spots, missing eyebrows and even no eyelashes! Trichotillomania can be quite embarrassing for an individual dealing with it.

Nail biting, or onychophagia, also brings about embarrassment and frustration for the person who's plagued with the condition. You've probably known someone whose nails never seem to grow out. Another aspect of this condition is the picking at or biting of nail cuticles.

Treatment of Body-Focused Repetitive Disorders

Because these conditions vary, the treatments can vary. However, a type of therapy called cognitive behavioral therapy tends to work with individuals experiencing various BFRBs. "Cognitive" refers to thought processes and "behavioral" refers to a person's actions.

Thus, the therapy focuses on altering the person's thinking and actions related to BFRBs. In the case of trichotillomania, some antidepressants have also been found to be helpful. Support groups also offer great solace to those who feel they're the only ones suffering from these frustrating conditions. Individual counseling is also a viable treatment option for those with BFRBs.

If you believe you suffer from a BFRB, you are urged to talk with your physician about it. Because untreated BFRB can lead to physical issues like infection, scarring and unsightly marks or bald patches on the body, it's wise to seek treatment as soon as possible. The fact is, you can obtain support, guidance and treatment for the condition from psychiatrists and other mental health practitioners. For more information, click on the links below.

Sources

NeuroBehavioral Institute website

Professional experience

Saint Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute website