Body-focused repetitive behavior: Difference between revisions

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{{SI}}
{{Infobox medical condition
| name            = Body-focused repetitive behavior
| image          = [[File:Dermatillomania_fingers.JPG|left|thumb|Dermatillomania affecting the fingers]]
| caption        = Dermatillomania affecting the fingers
| field          = [[Psychiatry]]
| symptoms        = [[Compulsive]] [[hair pulling]], [[skin picking]], [[nail biting]]
| complications  = [[Skin infections]], [[alopecia]], [[scarring]]
| onset          = Typically in [[childhood]] or [[adolescence]]
| duration        = [[Chronic condition|Chronic]]
| causes          = [[Genetic predisposition]], [[stress]], [[anxiety]]
| risks          = [[Family history]], [[stressful life events]]
| diagnosis      = [[Clinical diagnosis]]
| differential    = [[Obsessive-compulsive disorder]], [[trichotillomania]], [[dermatitis]]
| treatment      = [[Cognitive behavioral therapy]], [[habit reversal training]], [[medication]]
| medication      = [[Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors]]
| frequency      = Common
}}
'''Body-focused repetitive behavior''' (BFRB) is a term that encompasses a group of [[impulse control disorder|impulse control disorders]] in which individuals compulsively damage their physical appearance or cause physical injury through repetitive behaviors. The most common forms of BFRBs include [[trichotillomania]] (hair pulling), [[excoriation disorder]] (skin picking), and [[onychophagia]] (nail biting). These behaviors are not typically performed with the intention of self-harm but are instead a maladaptive response to relieve stress or anxiety.
'''Body-focused repetitive behavior''' (BFRB) is a term that encompasses a group of [[impulse control disorder|impulse control disorders]] in which individuals compulsively damage their physical appearance or cause physical injury through repetitive behaviors. The most common forms of BFRBs include [[trichotillomania]] (hair pulling), [[excoriation disorder]] (skin picking), and [[onychophagia]] (nail biting). These behaviors are not typically performed with the intention of self-harm but are instead a maladaptive response to relieve stress or anxiety.
==Causes and Risk Factors==
==Causes and Risk Factors==
The exact causes of BFRBs are not fully understood, but a combination of genetic, neurological, and environmental factors is believed to contribute. Individuals with a family history of BFRBs or other [[Obsessive-compulsive disorder|obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders]] are at a higher risk. Stressful life events, anxiety, and depression can also trigger or exacerbate these behaviors.
The exact causes of BFRBs are not fully understood, but a combination of genetic, neurological, and environmental factors is believed to contribute. Individuals with a family history of BFRBs or other [[Obsessive-compulsive disorder|obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders]] are at a higher risk. Stressful life events, anxiety, and depression can also trigger or exacerbate these behaviors.
==Symptoms and Diagnosis==
==Symptoms and Diagnosis==
Symptoms of BFRBs include repetitive touching, rubbing, scratching, picking, or pulling at the hair, skin, or nails, often resulting in visible damage or distress. The behavior is usually performed unconsciously and can be difficult to stop. Diagnosis is typically based on clinical assessment and the exclusion of other conditions. The [[Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders]] (DSM-5) includes criteria for diagnosing some BFRBs, such as trichotillomania and excoriation disorder.
Symptoms of BFRBs include repetitive touching, rubbing, scratching, picking, or pulling at the hair, skin, or nails, often resulting in visible damage or distress. The behavior is usually performed unconsciously and can be difficult to stop. Diagnosis is typically based on clinical assessment and the exclusion of other conditions. The [[Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders]] (DSM-5) includes criteria for diagnosing some BFRBs, such as trichotillomania and excoriation disorder.
==Treatment==
==Treatment==
Treatment for BFRBs may involve a combination of [[psychotherapy]], medication, and self-help strategies. [[Cognitive-behavioral therapy]] (CBT), particularly habit reversal training (HRT), has been shown to be effective in reducing the frequency of BFRBs. Medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), may also be prescribed to help manage underlying anxiety or depression. Support groups and online resources can provide additional help and information.
Treatment for BFRBs may involve a combination of [[psychotherapy]], medication, and self-help strategies. [[Cognitive-behavioral therapy]] (CBT), particularly habit reversal training (HRT), has been shown to be effective in reducing the frequency of BFRBs. Medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), may also be prescribed to help manage underlying anxiety or depression. Support groups and online resources can provide additional help and information.
==Impact==
==Impact==
BFRBs can significantly impact an individual's quality of life, leading to physical damage, emotional distress, and social withdrawal. The shame and embarrassment associated with the visible signs of BFRBs can exacerbate the condition, creating a cycle of anxiety and repetitive behavior.
BFRBs can significantly impact an individual's quality of life, leading to physical damage, emotional distress, and social withdrawal. The shame and embarrassment associated with the visible signs of BFRBs can exacerbate the condition, creating a cycle of anxiety and repetitive behavior.
==See Also==
==See Also==
* [[Obsessive-compulsive disorder]]
* [[Obsessive-compulsive disorder]]
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* [[Anxiety disorder]]
* [[Anxiety disorder]]
* [[Depression (mood)]]
* [[Depression (mood)]]
==External Links==
==External Links==
* [https://www.bfrb.org/ The TLC Foundation for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors]
* [https://www.bfrb.org/ The TLC Foundation for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors]
* [https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/ocd/what-is-obsessive-compulsive-disorder American Psychiatric Association: OCD]
* [https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/ocd/what-is-obsessive-compulsive-disorder American Psychiatric Association: OCD]
[[Category:Mental health disorders]]
[[Category:Mental health disorders]]
[[Category:Impulse control disorders]]
[[Category:Impulse control disorders]]
[[Category:Psychiatric diagnosis]]
[[Category:Psychiatric diagnosis]]
{{Medicine-stub}}
{{Medicine-stub}}

Latest revision as of 18:59, 4 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Body-focused repetitive behavior
Dermatillomania affecting the fingers
Synonyms N/A
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Compulsive hair pulling, skin picking, nail biting
Complications Skin infections, alopecia, scarring
Onset Typically in childhood or adolescence
Duration Chronic
Types N/A
Causes Genetic predisposition, stress, anxiety
Risks Family history, stressful life events
Diagnosis Clinical diagnosis
Differential diagnosis Obsessive-compulsive disorder, trichotillomania, dermatitis
Prevention N/A
Treatment Cognitive behavioral therapy, habit reversal training, medication
Medication Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
Prognosis N/A
Frequency Common
Deaths N/A


Body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRB) is a term that encompasses a group of impulse control disorders in which individuals compulsively damage their physical appearance or cause physical injury through repetitive behaviors. The most common forms of BFRBs include trichotillomania (hair pulling), excoriation disorder (skin picking), and onychophagia (nail biting). These behaviors are not typically performed with the intention of self-harm but are instead a maladaptive response to relieve stress or anxiety.

Causes and Risk Factors[edit]

The exact causes of BFRBs are not fully understood, but a combination of genetic, neurological, and environmental factors is believed to contribute. Individuals with a family history of BFRBs or other obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders are at a higher risk. Stressful life events, anxiety, and depression can also trigger or exacerbate these behaviors.

Symptoms and Diagnosis[edit]

Symptoms of BFRBs include repetitive touching, rubbing, scratching, picking, or pulling at the hair, skin, or nails, often resulting in visible damage or distress. The behavior is usually performed unconsciously and can be difficult to stop. Diagnosis is typically based on clinical assessment and the exclusion of other conditions. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) includes criteria for diagnosing some BFRBs, such as trichotillomania and excoriation disorder.

Treatment[edit]

Treatment for BFRBs may involve a combination of psychotherapy, medication, and self-help strategies. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), particularly habit reversal training (HRT), has been shown to be effective in reducing the frequency of BFRBs. Medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), may also be prescribed to help manage underlying anxiety or depression. Support groups and online resources can provide additional help and information.

Impact[edit]

BFRBs can significantly impact an individual's quality of life, leading to physical damage, emotional distress, and social withdrawal. The shame and embarrassment associated with the visible signs of BFRBs can exacerbate the condition, creating a cycle of anxiety and repetitive behavior.

See Also[edit]

External Links[edit]

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