Essay On Dermatillomania

For a majority of the population, it’s common to mess with one’s skin from time to time. For example, picking at acne or scabs even though one knows it’s unhealthy. Unfortunately, an estimated 1-5% of the population suffers from an extreme case of skin picking called excoriation disorder, or dermatillomania. Dermatillomania is a mental disorder in which a person has a repeated and strong desire to pick at one’s skin. Individuals with the disorder may pick in several short increments throughout the day, or for longer periods of hours, which greatly affects the individual’s schedule (Grant et al.) Picking mainly occurs on the face, limbs, and scalp, and there is typically one main site of skin picking. Although, other areas may be picked to allow the primary area to heal (Miles). It’s important to note that to be diagnosed with the disorder the skin picking must be done consistently, cause harm to the body, and cause distress or prohibit daily activities (Fama). Three primary causes of dermatillomania are other disorders, substance abuse, and its use as a coping mechanism for anxiety or stress.
Sometimes the side effects of other diseases are the causes …show more content…
Elevated stress levels can trigger individuals with dermatillomania to pick their skin, and the act of picking gives off a feeling of relief or pleasure to those suffering from stress, anxiety, or depression. It’s important to note that in individuals with dermatillomania skin picking is enjoyable at first, during the actual event of picking. However, feelings of shame and embarrassment soon follow. According to Fama, “Skin picking disorder can hurt a person emotionally, physically, and socially.” A vicious cycle may form when individuals pick their skin to get relief, and then when aware of what they’ve done, worsen the causes of the behavior, such as anxiety or