Excessive Nose Picking: A Case Study

This paper begins by discussing the creation of a new diagnosis, Excessive Nose Picking. The paper explains why Excessive Nose Picking should be classified as a mental disorder and should be implemented into the next revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Included in this discussion, the paper reviews the specific behaviors and/or characteristics for the new diagnosis. It is important to note that the second section takes an in-depth look at the demographic criteria of individuals that are impacted by excessive nose picking. More specifically, the paper looks at the individual’s age, race, gender, and socioeconomic status. The third section of the paper focuses on parties that support implementing …show more content…
First, is that excessive nose picking is focused on a portion of the body and it is also a behavior that is continually repeated. More importantly, the excessive nose picking is not a result of something blocking the nasal cavity. It is evident when observing behavior patterns in individuals who present with ENP, there are “repetitive behaviors” as well as anxiety and depression lasting six months or more (Teng, Woods, Marcks, & Twohig, 2004). Client notes suggest that individuals with ENP have verbalized that their nose picking behavior has lasted for more than six …show more content…
These three diagnoses have similar, if not identical, behavior and characteristics that are found in ENP where the individuals have had persistent thoughts, images, and urges that cause anxiety. The three distinct characteristic symptoms of ENP are the presence of the individual isolating themselves and staring in a trance like state, decreased cognitive functioning and/or dull emotions, and behaviors that are not part of a ritualistic ceremony. Therefore, the diagnosis of Excessive Nose Picking should be included in the next revision of the DSM-5. Considering the diagnosis and inclusion into the DSM, it is likely that support would come from mental health service providers who also see the validity of adding Excessive Nose Picking. Another supporter would be big pharmaceutical companies because those who are diagnosed with mental health disorders are offered medications that offer relief to some or all symptoms. Those who would oppose Excessive Nose Picking would be insurance companies because they may not want to pay out any additional costs incurred by individuals who were not covered previously under their insurance