As demonstrated above, Skin Picking Disorder / Dermatillomania has obsessive-compulsive features that are quite similar to OCD, BDD and Trichotillomania. It is sometimes found in individuals with these disorders, as well as in patents with certain medical conditions. In fact, a recent study found that 23% of those with OCD, and 27% of those with BDD, also had Skin Picking Disorder.
Treatment of Skin Picking Disorder / Dermatillomania
The primary treatment modality for Skin Picking Disorder / Dermatillomania is a combination of various types of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Perhaps the most important of these is called Habit Reversal Training (HRT). HRT is based on the principle that skin picking is a conditioned response to specific situations and events, and that the individual with Dermatillomania is frequently unaware of these triggers. HRT challenges Dermatillomania in a two-fold process. First, the individual learns how to become more consciously aware of situations and events that trigger skin picking episodes. Second, the individual learns to utilize alternative behaviors in response to these situations and events.
Other Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy techniques can be used as adjuncts to HRT in the treatment of Skin Picking Disorder. Among these are Stimulus Control techniques and Cognitive Restructuring. Stimulus Control techniques involve utilizing specific physical items as “habit blockers” to restrict the ability to pick skin, while Cognitive Restructuring helps an individual with Dermatillomania learn to think differently in response to the urge to pick their skin.
One of the most effective CBT developments for the treatment of Skin Picking Disorder is Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. The primary goal of Mindfulness-Based CBT is to learn to non-judgmentally accept uncomfortable psychological experiences. From a mindfulness perspective, much of our psychological distress is the result of trying to control and eliminate the discomfort of unwanted thoughts, feelings, sensations, and urges. In other words, our discomfort is not the problem – our attempt to control and eliminate our discomfort is the problem. For those with Skin Picking Disorder, the ultimate goal of mindfulness is to develop the ability to more willingly experience their uncomfortable thoughts, feelings, sensations, and urges, without picking their skin. To learn more about Mindfulness Based CBT for the treatment of Dermatillomania / Skin Picking, click here.
Individual Therapy for the Treatment of Skin Picking Disorder / Dermatillomania
The OCD Center of Los Angeles offers individual therapy for the treatment of adults, children, and adolescents with Skin Picking Disorder / Dermatillomania. Using the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques outlined above, clients with Skin Picking Disorder learn to respond differently to thoughts about their skin, and to resist the urge to pick their skin.
We have therapists on staff, and offer services six days a week, including evenings and Saturdays. If you would like to discuss treatment options at the OCD Center of Los Angeles, please call one of our client coordinators at (310) 824-5200 (ext. 4), or click here to email us.
