There are no official guidelines to assist in answering this question. I will search for relevant research papers instead.
From the Research
Definition and Prevalence of Rhinotillexomania
- Rhinotillexomania, or compulsive nose picking, is a behavior that has been studied in various populations, including adults and adolescents 1, 2.
- Research suggests that nose picking is a common practice, with 91% of respondents in one study reporting that they currently pick their nose, although only 1.2% pick at least every hour 1.
- The prevalence of rhinotillexomania is not well-established, but it is thought to be a relatively common behavior, especially in adolescents, with almost the entire sample of 200 adolescents admitting to nose picking, with a median frequency of 4 times per day 2.
Association with Psychiatric Illness
- Some studies suggest that rhinotillexomania may be a manifestation of psychiatric illness, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar disease, factitious dermatitis, and schizophrenia 3, 4.
- These studies present case series and reviews of the literature, highlighting the importance of considering psychiatric illness in the diagnosis and treatment of rhinotillexomania.
- The association between rhinotillexomania and psychiatric illness is supported by the fact that some individuals with rhinotillexomania also exhibit other self-destructive behaviors, such as picking cuticles, picking at skin, biting fingernails, and pulling out hair 1.
Complications and Consequences
- Rhinotillexomania can lead to various complications, including nasal injuries, such as septal perforation, and infectious sequelae, such as sepsis, meningitis, endocarditis, cystitis, and discitis 5.
- These complications can be severe and recurrent, highlighting the importance of prevention, diagnosis, and management of rhinotillexomania.
- The consequences of rhinotillexomania can also be social and emotional, with individuals experiencing distress, shame, and social compromise due to their behavior 1.
Self-Soothing Behavior
- While the studies do not directly address whether rhinotillexomania is a self-soothing behavior, they do suggest that it may be a coping mechanism for some individuals, particularly those with underlying psychiatric illness 3, 4.
- The fact that nose picking is often associated with other habitual behaviors, such as nail biting and hair pulling, suggests that it may be a way for individuals to self-soothe or manage stress and anxiety 2.
- However, more research is needed to fully understand the motivations and functions of rhinotillexomania, including its potential role as a self-soothing behavior 1, 2.