How to Stop Picking- Excoriation and Trichotillomania

Excoriation (also known as Dermatillomania) is a skin-picking disorder; the diagnostic criteria include recurrent skin-picking causing skin lesions. Trichotillomania is a hair-pulling disorder and the diagnostic criteria include recurrent hair-pulling causing hair loss. Excoriation and Trichotillomania have criteria of repeated attempts to stop hair-pulling or skin-picking and cause distress or impairment in important areas of functioning.

Trauma can play a part in these disorders because it's often a coping mechanism with stressful life events and then becomes a habit resulting in a mental health condition. Lots of people have triggers that lead them to skin pick or hair pull that can be identified through counseling and therapy.

I got diagnosed with both of these disorders when I was twenty years old, but I began picking at age eighteen. I'm now twenty-two years old and I still have slips which is perfectly normal.

One of the most important things I've found about these disorders is self-forgiveness and providing yourself with grace through the healing process.

There are many healthy replacement coping techniques and tricks to reduce skin-picking or hair-pulling. I have a basket of fidget toys in my living room that helps with both Excoriation, Trichotillomania, and ADHD, which I've also been diagnosed with. My favorite fidget toys are from Nee Doh, Crazy Aaron's, and Speks because there are many variations.

I have tried many different fidgets through the years and other ones I enjoy are sensory rings and magnetic rings which are both linked below!

My favorite fidget that's more geared toward people struggling with Excoriation and Trichotillomania is a pickpad. There are many on Amazon and some that people make at home and sell through Etsy and I highly recommend utilizing them.

A website that has helped me regarding these diagnoses is TrichStop which is a website that provides treatment from therapists who specialize in Trichotillomania. The website also has a test that anyone can take that determines if you exhibit signs of Trichotillomania. There's a section for patients, parents, and a Q&A that answers many frequently asked questions.

I want everyone who struggles with Excoriation and/or Trichotillomania to know that they're not alone and healing is a process. There's no quick and easy remedy, everyone heals in different ways and at their own pace. Remember there is nothing wrong with you and you can heal.