Types of Compulsive Skin Picking Treatment
Many people pick their skin from time to time. However, there are instances in which this becomes a serious problem that can cause both physical and mental harm.
If you believe you or a loved one is suffering from a skin picking disorder, it is important to pinpoint the problem as soon as possible. Here are some questions that can help you make this diagnosis:
- Do you find yourself picking at your skin on a daily basis, often realizing this is taking up a lot of time?
- Do you have physical scars caused by skin picking?
- Do you get upset when you think about how often and how much you pick your skin?
- Do you pick your skin to the point where you begin to wonder what others think about you?
- Has this caused problems for you in your professional or social life? For example, do you take days off of work because of this condition?
Along with the above questions, do not shy away from seeking professional medical treatment. That is often times the best way to not only diagnose a skin picking condition, but to also have all your questions answered and to receive the best possible treatment.
We can help you find treatment to overcoming skin picking disorder. Call 888-647-0051 (Who Answers?) today.
How does it Develop
Counseling can help you overcome skin picking disorder.
According to the US National Library of Medicine, “Pathological skin picking is an impulse control disorder that causes significant anxiety and disfigurement to those afflicted.”
Skin picking disorder can develop at almost any age. While there is no scientific evidence showing exactly why some people suffer from this problem, it is typically related to one of the following:
- Skin picking during stressful times. Many people find that picking their skin helps them relieve stress. The more they do this the better chance it has of becoming a habit, even when there is no stress present.
- Following some type of skin infection or rash. It is common to pick at a rash or scab, however, this causes more harm than good. Additionally, picking leads to more itching, which leads to more scabbing. And then the cycle continues.
Note: skin picking disorder is known as “Body-Focused Repetitive Behavior” (BFRB). There are other types of disorders that fit into this category, such as those involving the picking or pulling of the hair.
Skin picking disorder is sometimes classified as an obsessive compulsive disorder (OBC).
Knowing how the problem develops does not stop it, but this information can help a person receive the appropriate level of treatment. For help finding treatment call 888-647-0051 (Who Answers?) .
How to Treat Skin Picking Disorder
There are people who have successfully treated this condition on their own. They realize it is harming their body, and are able to overcome the problem over time.
Unfortunately, it is much more common for a person to need professional help to beat this condition. While this may not be something most people want to consider, it is good to know that there are treatment options that have been proven effective.
Habit reversal training is among the best treatment strategies for compulsive skin picking. With the help of a therapist, you can identify the factors that trigger the condition. Subsequently, it becomes possible to find other outlets, such as exercise, that can ease the stress and allow you to focus your energy on harmless tasks.
Stimulus control is another type of therapy that is known to generate positive results. This therapy is all about making changes to your environment with the idea that it will help eliminate the condition.
For instance, you could wear gloves on a regular basis to prevent yourself from feeling the skin. Conversely, you will not be as likely to pick.
What about medication? In today’s world, many people have come to realize that medication is one of the best ways to treat almost every condition. When it comes to skin picking disorder, there are no FDA approved medications for this particular purpose. That being said, some psychiatric medications have been proven to work. For example, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as Prozac, are most commonly prescribed for skin picking.
We can help you find the best treatment for you. Call 888-647-0051 (Who Answers?) today.
Finding a Doctor
If you require skin picking treatment, one of the biggest challenges may be finding a doctor who can help. The best place to start is your primary care physician. This medical professional can review your situation, answer your questions, and help you find a local specialist who can put you on the right path to recovery.
Skin picking can start out as a relatively small problem, but soon grow into something much more serious. When this happens, it is imperative that the person seeks immediate medical care. The sooner this is treated the easier it is to put the condition in the past.
There are many types of treatments, such as those detailed above, that can help a person eliminate this condition from his or her life. At that point, it is easier to move on and forget about what happened in the past. You do not have to go through this alone – treatment can help you. Call 888-647-0051 (Who Answers?) to get help today.
