From the Guidelines
The medical term for skin picking is dermatillomania, also known as excoriation disorder. This condition is characterized by recurrent picking of one's skin, leading to tissue damage, and is classified as a mental health condition in the DSM-5 under obsessive-compulsive and related disorders 1. According to the most recent evidence, excoriation disorder is defined as recurrent picking of one's skin leading to skin lesions, accompanied by unsuccessful attempts to decrease or stop the behavior 1.
Key Characteristics
- Recurrent picking of one's skin, leading to tissue damage
- Classified as a mental health condition in the DSM-5 under obsessive-compulsive and related disorders
- Characterized by skin lesions and unsuccessful attempts to decrease or stop the behavior
Differential Diagnosis
Excoriation disorder can be differentiated from other conditions such as body dysmorphic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and trichotillomania, which may also involve repetitive behaviors or preoccupations with appearance 1.
Treatment
Treatment for excoriation disorder typically involves a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy, particularly habit reversal training, and medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or N-acetylcysteine 1.
Risk Assessment
It's essential to conduct thorough and dynamic risk assessments for individuals with excoriation disorder, including self-harm, suicidality, and unwarranted or unsafe cosmetic procedures 1.
Triggering Factors
The behavior is often triggered by anxiety, boredom, or sensory experiences, and many individuals report a sense of tension before picking and relief afterward, creating a self-reinforcing cycle that can be difficult to break without professional help 1.
From the Research
Medical Term for Skin Picking
The medical term for skin picking is referred to as:
- Excoriation disorder
- Dermatillomania
- Psychogenic skin excoriations
- Skin-picking disorder
Classification and Characteristics
These terms are used to describe a condition characterized by recurrent picking of skin, leading to skin lesions and significant distress or functional impairment 2, 3, 4. It is classified as an obsessive-compulsive and related disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) 2, 3, 4.
Associated Conditions
Skin picking disorder is often associated with other psychiatric conditions, such as:
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Autism
- Alcohol abuse
- Body dysmorphic disorder
- Mood disorders
- Anxiety disorders
- Borderline personality disorders 3
Treatment Options
Treatment for skin picking disorder may include: