Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors And The Dermatology Patient

Body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs), including trichotillomania and excoriation disorder, involved recurrent self-inflicted skin lesions and were more common than previously thought. Patients often sought dermatologic rather than psychiatric help due to the cosmetic damage. Trichotillomania involved hair pulling, leading to various alopecia patterns, while excoriation disorder involved skin picking, often starting with conditions like acne. Effective treatment required a combination of dermatologic assessment, psychotherapy, and possibly pharmacotherapy.