Man Finds Relief in Diagnosis After Years of Compulsive Skin Picking
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – A Swedish man, identified as Mattias, has discovered a name for a lifelong habit of tearing at his skin and nails: dermatillomania, a compulsive syndrome frequently enough referred to as “skin picking.” The diagnosis, recently understood by Mattias, offers a potential path toward managing a behavior that has led to infections and concern from his family.
For years, Mattias engaged in the unconscious act of picking at wounds, skin, and nails, often resulting in open sores and dirt becoming embedded under his fingernails. He experienced a especially severe infection six years ago, prompting a brief period of increased caution, but ultimately reverting to the habitual pattern. “I was more careful after the hospital stay. But over time you go back to some sort of habitual pattern,” he explained.
Dermatillomania is a relatively hidden diagnosis, with the World Health Institution estimating around 136,000 Swedes suffer from it, three-quarters of whom are women. Many remain undiagnosed due to low awareness. The condition involves compulsive tearing and picking at the skin,targeting areas like hands,arms,face,bumps,wounds,calluses,scabs,pimples,acne,or even healthy skin. Research suggests a potential hereditary component and a higher prevalence among individuals with OCD or family history of the disorder.
The realization that his behavior had a clinical name provided Mattias with a sense of clarity. “It made me think a little, that maybe I shoudl try to do something about my problems,” he said. While there is no proven medication, a Swedish study indicates that cognitive behavioral therapy can be effective in alleviating symptoms.
Mattias acknowledges the irrationality of continuing the behavior, given the risk of infection. He is now considering seeking assistance from the healthcare system to explore potential treatment options. “Rationally, itS quite stupid to keep doing something like this, when there could also be infections from it – as it was six years ago,” he stated.
