What Are BFRBs (Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors)?
BFRBs (Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors) are a group of psychological disorders characterized by repetitive self-grooming behaviors that result in damage to one's physical appearance. These behaviors are often performed as a way to cope with stress, anxiety, boredom, or other emotions. The following are some of the most common types of BFRBs:
Trichotillomania (Hair-Pulling Disorder): Trichotillomania involves recurrent and uncontrollable pulling out of one's hair, leading to hair loss and noticeable patches on the scalp, eyebrows, or other body parts. People with trichotillomania often feel a sense of tension before pulling out the hair and relief afterward. Some trichotillomania can be related to body dysphoria or gender dysphoria, such as when a born male longs to transition and feels a compulsion to eliminate secondary male characteristics such as chest hair.
Excoriation (Skin-Picking) Disorder: Excoriation disorder, also known as dermatillomania or skin-picking disorder, involves repetitive and compulsive picking of the skin, resulting in tissue damage, scarring, and infections. Individuals with this disorder may pick at acne, scabs, or other perceived imperfections on their skin. This is the most common form of BFRBs, and in very extreme cases can be accompanied by self-harm in order to create scars that can be picked.
Onychophagia (Nail-Biting): Onychophagia is characterized by chronic nail-biting, often to the point of causing damage to the nails and surrounding skin. It is one of the most common BFRBs and is often linked to stress and anxiety. Nail-biting often goes untreated over the lifetime.
Morsicatio Buccarum (Cheek Biting): Morsicatio buccarum involves compulsive and repetitive biting of the inside of the cheeks. It can lead to tissue damage and chronic irritation.
Trichophagia: Trichophagia refers to the compulsive behavior of ingesting pulled-out hair. This behavior is associated with trichotillomania and can lead to serious medical complications, such as trichobezoars (hairballs) in the gastrointestinal tract.
Rhinotillexomania (Nose-Picking): Rhinotillexomania is characterized by compulsive picking of the nose. While it is a common behavior, it becomes problematic when it becomes excessive and causes injury or bleeding. Rhinotillexomania can be associated with sensory experiences around the nose, including the sense that it is unclean or does not feel "just right."
Dermatophagia (Skin Biting): Dermatophagia involves biting or chewing on the skin, such as the lips, fingers, or other body parts. It can lead to skin damage, infections, and pain. Most commonly dermatophagia involves biting of the cuticles.
It is important to note that BFRBs can be chronic and challenging to manage on one's own. They often co-occur with other psychological conditions, such as anxiety, depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). If you or someone you know is struggling with BFRBs, seeking help from a mental health professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, can be beneficial in developing effective coping strategies and treatment plans.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and habit reversal training are among the evidence-based treatments commonly used to address BFRBs. Please contact Kairos Wellness Collective today for the latest treatment in Body Based Repetitive Behaviors.
