As a concerned parent, I’ve noticed a troubling pattern in my son over the last year. When he’s lost in thought while using his iPad, he exhibits a compulsive behavior of biting and picking at his toes. This isn’t just typical nail or cuticle biting; it escalates to what I term “full gorging mode.” The aftermath of these episodes is quite distressing, to say the least—his toes suffer significant damage.
Fortunately, this behavior doesn’t occur daily and has lessened recently. Nevertheless, I find myself troubled by the situation and questioning whether it might be time to seek professional assistance. I also wonder if my approach—essentially urging him to stop—has been effective or merely counterproductive.
To gain insight, I consulted with Dr. Claire Johnson, a child therapist specializing in body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs). Dr. Johnson explained that skin picking, known as dermatillomania or excoriation disorder, falls under the category of Obsessive-Compulsive and related disorders, as outlined in the DSM-5. This condition is quite prevalent among both children and adults.
Dr. Johnson pointed out that a key symptom of this disorder is a persistent pattern of skin picking that often leads to scabs or lesions. It’s essential to differentiate between these symptoms and those caused by other medical issues. Beyond physical signs, children with this disorder may also experience emotional distress, feeling unable to control their behavior, and often feeling embarrassed about the resulting scars.
If you suspect your child has excoriation disorder, Dr. Johnson recommends consulting a therapist who specializes in BFRBs for a formal evaluation. Parents play a crucial role in this process, but it’s important to avoid becoming overly controlling. “Acting as the ‘picking police’ can inadvertently worsen the behavior,” she cautioned. I realized that my attempts to stop my son from picking might have had the opposite effect, increasing his anxiety and subsequent picking.
What Can Parents Do?
Dr. Johnson advises that education is key. Teaching children about their condition can alleviate feelings of isolation and shame. Many kids are unaware that dermatillomania is a common and treatable issue.
Dr. Johnson shared her personal experience as both a therapist and a mother. She learned to step back from micromanaging her daughter’s behavior and empowered her instead by discussing the condition and its prevalence. This approach allowed her daughter to develop coping skills and gradually gain control over her picking habits.
For additional resources, Dr. Johnson recommends checking out the website Pickingme.org and suggests the book “What to Do When Bad Habits Take Hold” by Dawn Huebner as a helpful guide for children facing similar challenges.
With this newfound understanding, I feel more equipped to support my son. I plan to offer him tools like Band-aids or gloves to cover the areas he tends to pick, as well as various fidget toys to keep his hands busy. Most importantly, I will validate his feelings, reassure him that he’s not alone, and emphasize that help is available.
Ultimately, I aim to foster an environment where he can explore solutions to his behavior without the pressure of judgment. Together, we can navigate this journey, knowing there are resources and strategies to aid in overcoming dermatillomania.
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Summary
Dermatillomania, or skin picking disorder, is a common and treatable condition among children. Parents can support their kids by educating them about the disorder, empowering them to manage their behaviors, and providing tools to help reduce picking urges. Consulting a specialist can also be beneficial for formal assessment and guidance.
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