Body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs) are more common than many people realise. These behaviors include actions like:

  • Hair pulling (trichotillomania)

  • Skin picking (excoriation disorder or dermatillomania)

  • Nail biting (onychophagia)

  • Cheek biting (morsicatio buccarum)

Estimated Prevalence:

  • General population: About 1 in 20 people (~5%) are affected by BFRBs at a clinical level.

  • Subclinical or occasional behaviors: Much higher – studies suggest up to 25–30% of people engage in some form of BFRB occasionally or during stress.

  • Gender differences: Some BFRBs, like trichotillomania and skin picking, are reported more often in females, especially in clinical settings.

  • Onset: Often begins in childhood or adolescence, with stress, anxiety, or boredom commonly triggering episodes.

Important Distinction:

  • Occasional habits (like biting a nail once in a while) are common and not necessarily pathological.

  • When these behaviors cause distress, impairment, or damage, they are considered part of BFRB disorders, which are recognized in the DSM-5 under Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders.

Let me know if you want help identifying signs of a BFRB or resources for support.

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You said:

describe all bfrbs

ChatGPT said:

Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs) are a group of related conditions where a person repeatedly damages their body through compulsive behaviors. These are not habits, but rather mental health conditions that can cause significant distress or impairment. They are classified under Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders in the DSM-5.

Here’s a list of recognized and commonly reported BFRBs, including a brief description of each:

🔹 1. Trichotillomania (Hair Pulling Disorder)

  • Description: Recurrent pulling out of one’s hair (scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, beard, pubic area, etc.).

  • Impact: Can lead to bald patches, skin damage, and emotional distress.

  • Onset: Often begins in adolescence.

🔹 2. Excoriation Disorder (Skin Picking Disorder / Dermatillomania)

  • Description: Repeated picking at the skin, often leading to sores, scabs, or scars.

  • Common Areas: Face, arms, legs, hands.

  • Triggers: Anxiety, boredom, or perceived skin imperfections.

🔹 3. Onychophagia (Chronic Nail Biting)

  • Description: Persistent, compulsive biting of fingernails and cuticles.

  • Severity: May result in bleeding, infections, or permanent nail damage.

🔹 4. Onychotillomania (Nail Picking or Pulling)

  • Description: Picking, pulling, or tearing at fingernails or toenails.

  • Often Overlaps With: Skin picking or nail biting.

🔹 5. Morsicatio Buccarum (Chronic Cheek Biting)

  • Description: Repetitive biting or chewing of the inside of the cheek.

  • Variations: Morsicatio labiorum (lip biting), morsicatio linguarum (tongue biting).

  • Impact: Leads to soreness, swelling, or calloused tissues.

🔹 6. Rhinotillexomania (Compulsive Nose Picking)

  • Description: Excessive nose picking that causes damage or distress.

  • Distinction: Different from casual nose-picking—this is compulsive and often causes harm.

🔹 7. Dermophagia

  • Description: Biting or chewing on the skin, commonly around fingers or knuckles.

  • Often mistaken for: Nail biting or skin picking.

🔹 8. Trichophagia

  • Description: Eating hair that has been pulled out.

  • Complication: Can lead to hairballs (trichobezoars), which may require medical intervention.

Common Features Across BFRBs:

  • Trigger: Often preceded by stress, anxiety, boredom, or tension.

  • Relief: The behavior may temporarily relieve discomfort or create a sense of satisfaction.

  • Shame & Secrecy: Many people hide their BFRBs, leading to underreporting.

  • Comorbidity: Frequently co-occur with anxiety, OCD, ADHD, and depression.

When is it a Disorder?

A BFRB is considered a disorder when:

  • It is repetitive and compulsive.

  • It causes physical harm (e.g., injury, scarring).

  • It results in significant distress or functional impairment (social, occupational, emotional).