Scarred for Life, My Life with Dermatillomania

What is Dermatillomania? It is a condition where a person compulsively picks, scratches, and pulls at their skin causing sores, bleeding, scarring, and resulting in emotional shame. A person that lives with Dermatillomania may have excessive anxiety that is temporarily relieved by picking at scabs or sores until they bleed. This psychological disorder not only causes disfigurement, but leaves the sufferer with physical discomfort because the individual often wears long sleeves year round, even in the blistering heat. Not being able to go to the beach and wear a bathing suit out of shame limits a person in many ways from enjoying life to the fullest.

There are many reasons why many may engage in this behavior ranging from seeking a relief from stress, boredom, and ironically enough perfectionism. It enslaves a person to a never-ending cycle of anxiety and stress that leads to self-mutilation which only becomes more extreme in time. I have lived with this disorder for many years and it has only gotten more extreme over the years. I am ashamed of my skin from the neck down yet, by seeking cosmetic measures to cover up the scars have provided me with some relief. However, research has provided me with drug and psychotherapy options that have proven quite helpful.

It also beneficial to seek support from someone you trust. Having a significant other involved to discuss emotionally upsetting events can relieve much anxiety. In my case, my husband has been a tremendous support in trying to overcome this dreadful, debilitating disorder. There are also online support groups available. It is always good to not feel alone when dealing with emotionally troubling events.

It is beneficial to speak with your primary care provider when making a decision about what treatment options is best for your own unique situation. There are many psychotherapy treatments that can be used to help not only with this disorder, but others as well. Habit Reversal Training is a process that involves relaxation, breathing techniques, achieving a sense of balance, and performing muscle exercises. Habit Reversal Training also requires that a person keeps a diary of skin picking and the environmental forces and emotions that trigger the behavior. The person will become more aware and as a result put a halt to the desire to engage in self-mutilating behavior.

Another type of psychotherapy is Stimulus Control in which the sufferer will identify the mood or external factor that triggers the behavior and seek to eliminate the triggers and replace them with alternative, healthy options. For example, feelings about my previous divorce often trigger feelings of depression and anxiety which leads to skin picking. Now, I consciously avoid reminders of that past event and if the thoughts come up, I immediately become busy doing something else, such as creative writing, playing classical piano, and learning the violin. By actively engaging my mind to do things that positive and intellectually stimulating has not only led to a higher quality of life. It has increased my self-esteem and enhanced my emotional well-being.

It is important to note that dermatillomania will not disappear completely overnight. It is a chronic disorder that requires constant effort despite relapses. Relapses will occur but they will become fewer and the amount of time between episodes will become longer until the urge disappears completely. Although I will never have blemish free skin and may always feel a twinge of envy toward those who do, by using cosmetic measures, emotional support from others, and psychotherapy options the battle can be won against dermatillomania.