I also have dermatillomania on my scalp and body, picking at dead skin and scabs. I’ve had it for 6 years now, but I’ve had dermatillomania on my body and nails for as long as I can remember.
I have Trichotillomania (compulsively pulling out my hair) on my scalp. And Trichophagia (consuming small parts of the hair) Ask me anything.
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How do you manage it?
Did a life event trigger this compulsion, or did it seem to just start up randomly out of no where for no reason?
Have you ever gotten a bezoar from eating your hair?
I’ve got dermitillomania, currently struggling with a scab on the back of my head that I just cannot leave alone. I fucking hate this condition.
do u know why u have it? genetics, trauma,…?
Hello from a fellow sufferer! Always had a form of it – played with my upper lip as a child, played with my eyebrows in my teens/20s for over a decade, still play with zits and little scabs. Also stress/boredom induced for me. Personally found it very distressing – how are you doing?
I’m studying a masters in mental health at the moment and my lecturer on OCD said the best treatments are a combination of CBT and SSRIs (CBT alone is also okay but better with the SSRIs), and ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) – have you tried any of these? I have a friend starting ERP at the moment and she’s finding it really helpful.
Thank you for sharing your struggle and being open to helping others to understand. How does this behavior soothe you?