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Excoriation Disorder (Skin Picking)

Excoriation disorder, also known as skin picking disorder is a serious condition that affects millions of people around the world, causing distress and disrupting daily life. Clarity Clinic’s team of mental health professionals is here to help you understand the disorder and provide excoriation treatment options.
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What Is Excoriation Disorder?

Excoriation disorder is a mental health condition characterized by the recurrent and compulsive picking of the skin. People with this disorder may pick at their skin to the point of causing bleeding, scarring, and infection. This condition often leads to feelings of shame, embarrassment, and low self-esteem. It can also cause significant social, occupational, and functional impairment.

Excoriation disorder is classified as an obsessive-compulsive and related disorder, which means that it shares some features with OCD. However, while OCD is characterized by intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors aimed at preventing harm or reducing anxiety, excoriation disorder is focused solely on chronic skin picking.

Who Is At Risk For Excoriation Disorder?

Excoriation disorder affects people of all ages and genders, but it is more common in women. The exact causes of the disorder are not fully understood, but research suggests that it may be related to biological, environmental, and psychological factors.

Some of the risk factors for excoriation disorder include:

  • Genetics: The disorder may run in families, suggesting a genetic component.
  • Stress and Anxiety: Stressful life events and anxiety disorders may trigger or exacerbate the symptoms of chronic skin picking.
  • Perfectionism: People with excoriation disorder may have high standards for themselves and engage in skin picking to achieve perfection.
  • Body dysmorphic disorder: This is a condition in which people are excessively preoccupied with perceived flaws in their appearance. Excoriation disorder may be a manifestation of body dysmorphic symptoms.

How Is Excoriation Disorder Diagnosed?

Excoriation disorder is diagnosed based on the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). To be diagnosed with the disorder, a person must exhibit recurrent skin picking that leads to skin lesions, along with one or more of the following:

  • Repeated attempts to stop or reduce the skin picking
  • Impairment in social, occupational, or other areas of functioning
  • Significant distress or impairment due to the skin picking
  • The skin picking is not attributable to a substance use disorder or medical condition

If you suspect that you or a loved one may need treatment for excoriation disorder it is important to seek a professional evaluation from a mental health provider.

How Do You Find Skin Picking Disorder Treatment?

There is no cure for excoriation disorder, but there are effective treatment options available. The most common treatments for the disorder include:

  1. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): This is a type of therapy that helps people identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors. In the case of skin-picking disorder treatment, CBT may involve exposure and response prevention (ERP), which is a technique aimed at reducing the urge to pick the skin.
  2. Medication: Some medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), may be helpful in reducing the symptoms of excoriation disorder. However, medication alone is generally not as effective as CBT.
  3. Support groups: Joining a support group can provide a safe and supportive environment for people with excoriation disorder to share their experiences and learn from others.
  4. Self-help strategies: There are several self-help strategies that people with excoriation disorder can use to manage their symptoms, such as avoiding triggers, practicing mindfulness, and developing healthy coping mechanisms.

Why Choose Us for Excoriation Disorder Treatment?

At Clarity Clinic, we understand the challenges that come with excoriation disorder and the impact it can have on your life. That's why we offer evidence-based treatments and personalized care to help you achieve long-term recovery and improve your quality of life.

Our team of mental health professionals is trained in the latest therapies and techniques for excoriation treatment, including CBT and ERP. We work with each client to develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses their unique needs and goals.

We also believe in a holistic approach to mental health treatment, which means that we consider all aspects of your life when developing your treatment plan. This includes addressing any co-occurring mental health conditions, such as anxiety or depression, that may be contributing to your excoriation disorder.

In addition to our clinical expertise, we pride ourselves on creating a warm and welcoming environment for our clients. We understand that seeking treatment can be daunting, and we strive to create a safe and supportive space for our clients to explore their emotions and experiences.

Contact Us to Treat Your Excoriation Disorder 

If you or a loved one needs skin-picking disorder treatment, we are here to help. Contact Clarity Clinic today to schedule a consultation and learn more about our treatment options. We offer convenient online scheduling and teletherapy services to make treatment accessible and convenient for everyone. Take the first step towards a happier and healthier life today.

Excoriation Disorder FAQ

Excoriation Disorder (Skin Picking) Providers

Michael
Michael White
Therapy Clinical Intern
Bryanna
Bryanna Tartt, LCSW, CADC
Therapy
Alexandra
Alexandra Gremp, LPC, MEd, PEL
Therapy
Ross
Ross Pepper, MD
Psychiatrist
Reid
Reid Alley, MD
Psychiatrist
Sheena
Sheena Patel, PA-C
PA-C
Ryan
Ryan Atkins, PA-C
Psychiatry
Hannah
Hannah Wychocki, PA-C
PA-C
Lauren
Lauren Isdale, NP
Nurse Practitioner
Gabriella
Gabriella Lerner, PA-C
PA-C
Cyrus
Cyrus Ma, PA-C
PA-C
Zubair
Zubair Khan, PA-C
PA-C
Kumail
Kumail Hussain, MD
Young Adult and Child/Adolescent Psychiatrist
Emma
Emma Arsic, PA-C
PA-C
Paul
Paul Bamberger, PA-C
PA-C
Jason
Jason Brescia, LCPC
Therapy
Sankrant
Sankrant Reddy, MD
Psychiatrist
Virginia
Virginia Harren, LCPC
Clinical Supervisor
Stephanie
Stephanie Osborne, PA-C
Psychiatry
Ashley
Ashley Seredynski, PA-C
PA-C
Christine
Christine Lantin, PA-C
PA-C
Sudhakar
Sudhakar Shenoy, MD
Adult and Child/Adolescent Psychiatrist
Sharon
Sharon Koys, PA-C
PA-C
Sara
Sara Fakhri, MA
Therapy
Sahar
Sahar Eftekhar, DO
General & Addiction Psychiatrist
Rebecca
Rebecca Gilfillan, MD
Psychiatrist
Rebecca
Rebecca Kuhn, PA-C
PA-C
Nicole
Nicole Ortiz, PhD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Elana
Elana Horowitz, PA-C
PA-C
Pavan
Pavan Prasad, MD
Psychiatrist
Kiran Binal
Kiran Binal Maharaja, MD
Psychiatrist
Lizzie
Lizzie Ausland, LCPC, CADC
Therapist
Kalyan
Kalyan Rao, MD
Psychiatrist
Jonathan
Jonathan Kolakowski, MD
Psychiatrist
Judy
Judy Bitzer, LCPC
Therapist
Jessica
Jessica Masbaum, LCSW
Therapist, Clinical Supervisor
Jeanette
Jeanette Marinier, PA-C
PA-C
Jamie
Jamie Schubert, PA-C
PA-C
Emily
Emily Street, PA-C
PA-C
Savannah
Savannah Sullivan, PA-C
PA-C
Summer
Summer Slininger, PA-C
PA-C
Ravali
Ravali Poreddy, MD
Psychiatrist
Ariella
Ariella Panos, PA-C
PA-C
James
James Ham, PA-C
Psychiatry
Rayna
Rayna Gorstein, PA-C
PA-C
Sierra
Sierra Purcell, PA-C
PA-C
Emily
Emily Hoag, MD
Psychiatrist
Grace
Grace Starrs, PA-C
Psychiatry
Cassie
Cassie Donahue, PA-C
Psychiatry
Gayathri
Gayathri Ganesh, PA-C
PA-C
Samuel
Samuel Eckert, PA-C
PA-C
Rafael
Rafael Lopez, MD
Psychiatrist
Scott
Scott Shadrick, PA-C
PA-C
Mira
Mira Ebalo, PA-C
PA-C
Justin
Justin Lee, PA-C
PA-C
Carol
Carol Briggs, LPC, NCC
Therapy
Emily
Emily Brennan, PA-C
PA-C
Jenna
Jenna Jacobson, PA-C
PA-C
Caitlin
Caitlin Daughtry, PA-C
PA-C
Camryn
Camryn Schmidt, PA-C
PA-C
Carolyn
Carolyn Klinkert, LCPC
Therapist, Clinical Supervisor
Alexandra
Alexandra Gregor, PA-C
PA-C
Allegria
Allegria Knouse, PA-C
PA-C
Antonina
Antonina Lunetta, LCPC
Therapist, Clinical Supervisor
Alyssa
Alyssa Bobak, PA-C
PA-C
Aimee
Aimee Daramus, PsyD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist

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