The term "body-focused repetitive behaviors" (BFRBs) refers to any self-care routine that involves repeatedly biting, pulling, plucking, or scraping one's own skin, lips, cheeks, or nails and that can result in actual harm to the body despite repeated attempts to reduce or stop the activity. If you or a loved one struggles with body-focused repetitive behaviors, consider reaching out to the best psychologist in Broward county, Mark Lang, L.C.S.W. - Licensed Clinical Psychotherapist.

Hair Pulling Disorder - Trichotillomania

People with trichotillomania pull out the hair from their scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows, and other areas of the body, leaving bald patches that are easily recognizable. Hair pulling condition affects both males and girls equally and typically starts in late childhood or early puberty. The degree, location on the body, and responsiveness to treatment of hair pulling varies Without therapy, hair pulling disorder is more likely to be a lifelong problem that comes and goes.

Skin Picking Disorder - Excoriation

Excoriation causes individuals to repeatedly touch, rub, scratch, pick at, or dig into their skin, which leads to scarring, tissue damage, and even severe disfigurement. Humans frequently pick at their cuticles, acne, scabs, calluses, and other skin imperfections, but some people pick at their skin so much that it results in visible tissue damage, apparent distress, or impairment of everyday functioning. Skin pickers touch, rub, scratch, pick at, or dig into their skin in an effort to smooth off rough spots or scabs or fix defects. Though skin picking problem can start at any age, the behavior commonly starts in the first few years of puberty.

Nail Biting Disorder - Onychophagia

People with onychophagia chew on their cuticles till they bleed and bite their nails past the nail bed, which can cause discomfort and infection. Nail biting is thought to be a frequent activity that often starts in childhood and involves damaging fingernails by persistent biting.

Cheek Biting

Chronic cheek biting, often known as "cheek chewing," can have a variety of negative effects. The mucosa, or inside lining of the mouth, might become red, inflamed, or even tear. Chronic cheek biting, often known as "cheek chewing," can have a variety of negative effects. The mucosa, or inside lining of the mouth, might become red, inflamed, or even tear. For some people who have been biting their cheeks repeatedly, the lining may begin to feel uneven, which makes them more inclined to keep biting to smooth out the surface. Psychologically, you might experience feelings of humiliation, guilt, and hopelessness. Social interaction may decline to keep people from noticing the behavior. In addition to skin picking disorder and hair pulling disorder, bruxism (teeth clenching or grinding), and cheek biting are typically co-occurring habits.

Steps to help diagnose obsessive-compulsive disorder may include:

• Psychological evaluation by a psychotherapist in Florida in order to ascertain whether you have obsessions or compulsive behaviors that affect your quality of life, this involves talking about your thoughts, feelings, symptoms, and behavioral patterns. This may involve speaking with your family or friends with your consent.
• Diagnostic criteria for OCD: Your Florida psychotherapist may use criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association.
• Physical exam: This could be done to look for any associated consequences and to help rule out any other issues that could be the source of your symptoms.

If you or a loved one needs family therapist in Broward county, call or go online to schedule an appointment at New Era Therapy Now.