Trichotillomania (hair pulling) – recurrent, irresistible urges to pull hair out of one’s scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, or other areas on one’s body, despite attempt to stop or decrease the behavior. The hair pulling results in hair loss and causes significant distress or impairment in social, occupational or other areas of functioning.

Excoriation Disorder (skin picking) – recurrent skin picking in attempts to improve perceived imperfections, but which results in skin lesions, tissue damage or scarring, despite attempts to stop or decrease the behavior. Targeted areas of the body can change over time and frequently healthy skin is targeted in addition to previously damaged skin. These behaviors cause significant distress and impairment and are not caused by a substance or medical/dermatological condition.

There are many factors that can contribute to BFRBs and it is important to find a therapist who has training and experience working with BFRBs. Frequently, therapy includes a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy and habit reversal training.