Do I Have Dermatillomania (Do You Compulsively Skin Pick)?

Take this quiz to see if you show the signs.

If you pick, scratch, or rub at your skin repetitively when you’re feeling stressed or anxious, it may be because you have dermatillomania, a skin-picking disorder.

Share how much you agree or disagree with these statements, and we’ll let you know if you have a skin-picking disorder and what to do next.

Disclaimer: This quiz should not replace the advice or diagnosis given by a healthcare professional. It’s simply a guide to learning more about yourself and what further action you can take.

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Questions Overview

1. I bite my nails or cuticles a lot.
  1. Yes. It’s a habit I’ve been trying to break for years.
  2. Yes, but only when I’m really, really nervous.
  3. Sometimes. But it’s pretty easy for me to stop.
  4. No, I strongly disagree! I’ve never bitten my nails.
2. I often catch myself picking the skin on my hands, face, arms, or legs.
  1. Yes, all of the time. I just can’t seem to stop.
  2. Yeah, sometimes. I don’t even realize I’m doing it.
  3. Does scratching a scab or bug bite count?
  4. No. I tend to leave my skin alone.
3. I get the urge to pick my skin (even though I know it’s bad).
  1. Yes. I just can’t help myself!
  2. Yeah, I get the urge. But I can usually stop myself.
  3. Sometimes, I guess. But it doesn’t lead anywhere.
  4. No, I’ve never had the urge to pick my skin.
4. I like to play with hangnails or loose skin around my fingers or toes.
  1. Yes. It’s a guilty pleasure.
  2. Yeah, but doesn’t everybody?
  3. Sometimes, but I’ll reach for a nail trimmer first.
  4. No. That would hurt!
5. I’ve picked or pulled my skin and started bleeding before.
  1. Yes. I have a lot of open cuts.
  2. Yeah, but it makes me stop picking.
  3. Once or twice, but it’s usually by accident.
  4. No. I don’t like picking my skin for that reason.
6. When I pick my skin, I feel calmer.
  1. Yes, 100%! It soothes me.
  2. Most of the time. This relief just washes over me.
  3. Sometimes, but there are other ways I can get calm faster.
  4. No, not at all! Picking my skin makes me anxious.
7. I try to avoid picking in front of other people.
  1. Yes. I’m really embarrassed by it.
  2. Most of the time. It’s a little embarrassing.
  3. No, not really. I mean, there’s not much to hide.
  4. I don’t have to hide something I don’t do.
8. I often don’t realize I’m picking when I am.
  1. Yes. I’ll catch myself picking my skin without knowing it.
  2. Yeah, sometimes. The pain usually makes me realize what I’m doing.
  3. I guess? I’ve never really thought about it.
  4. No. I don’t pick my skin, so I can’t catch myself doing it.
9. I hide my hands and skin from other people.
  1. Yes. I don’t like the way they look.
  2. Most of the time. They’re pretty beat up.
  3. Not really, but I’ve never really thought about it.
  4. No. I like the way my skin looks!
10. I’m often anxious and have a hard time getting out of my head.
  1. Yes, all of the time.
  2. Yeah, sometimes.
  3. I guess, but doesn’t everybody?
  4. No, not really.
11. I often feel hopeless, tired, and down about things in my life.
  1. Yes, most of the time.
  2. Yeah, but only sometimes.
  3. Sometimes, but doesn’t everyone?
  4. No. I’m genuinely happy.
12. I have OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) or think I’ll be diagnosed with it soon.
  1. Yeah, I deal with repetitive behaviors and compulsions daily.
  2. Maybe, but I only sometimes have obsessive thoughts or compulsions.
  3. I might, but I’m not really sure. Doesn’t everyone do things repetitively?
  4. No, I don’t have OCD or think I’ll have it in the future.

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What Is Dermatillomania?

Dermatillomania is a skin-picking disorder where someone picks, scratches, or rubs their skin compulsively. Even if they cut or bruise the skin, they continue to pick despite the pain. More often than not, the person doesn’t realize they’re picking their skin or hurting themselves. It’s a response to stress, anxiety, and depression, often paired with other obsessive-compulsive tendencies (OCD).

What are the symptoms of dermatillomania? The main symptom of dermatillomania is compulsively picking at the skin; however, there can also be scratching, digging, squeezing, and rubbing.

What causes dermatillomania? While the specific cause of dermatillomania is unknown, scientists suspect it’s a combination of genetics, changes in brain structure, and stress and anxiety. Dermatillomania is most commonly seen within patients with OCD, depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorders, and Prader-Willi syndrome.

The types of picking: automatic and focused. Automatic picking occurs without the person thinking about the action; it’s the body’s automatic response to release energy. Focused picking targets a specific area, where the person can pick a certain spot on the body for hours at a time.

How is dermatillomania managed? Dermatillomania or skin picking is managed with therapy and medications. Habit reversal therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are the most common treatments, as they attempt to break habits, change behaviors, and work through triggers. Antidepressants and nutraceuticals can also be prescribed to help lessen picking urges.

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