Most important, you might not know help is out there.
Which, FYI, it is!
But more on that in a bit.
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Lets start by going over the basics of BFRBs.
What exactly are body-focused repetitive behaviors?
But BFRBs andOCDhave a few important differences that well explore later.
Trichotillomania doesnt always lead tobald patches, though.
In fact, the diagnostic criteria for trichotillomania has loosened a little bit with the release of theDSM-5in 2013.
To be diagnosed, you used to need to cause visible hair loss, like bald patches.
The hair-pulling cant be related to any other mental or physical health condition.
As with trichotillomania, these behaviors cant be better explained by some other condition or disorder.
This diagnosis accounts for compulsive behaviors that arent hair-pulling or skin-picking.
In some cases, BFRBs can lead to further physical problems.
For example, skin-pickers and nail-biters might leave themselves prone to infection, says Crimarco.
And, in some cases, trichotillomania can have medicalnot just aestheticside effects.
The overall cause of BFRBs is unknown.
We regularly see BFRBs in the family members of people with a BFRB that were treating, says Mouton-Odum.
That said, its not always the same behavior.
Beyond that, experts know more about what BFRBs arenot.
Unlike self-harm, BFRBs can actually feel pleasurable, says Mouton-Odum.
Finally, BFRBs are not automatically a sign of trauma or abuse, says Mouton-Odum.
BFRBs tend to happen in response to certain triggers.
You might see something that triggers it, like a gray hair or a blemish, says Mouton-Odum.
You might feel something with your fingers, like a hair that feels different or out of place.
(These thoughts are a lot less intense than obsessions that come with OCD.)
Affectivetriggers:These are triggers of the emotional variety.
Motortriggers: This involves certain movements, postures, and unconscious behaviors that can kick off your BFRB.
Professional treatment can help curb BFRBs.
Unlike for OCD, medication isnt a go-to treatment for BFRBs.
What might work for you really depends on your specific situation, so talk to your doctor or therapist.
Thats nothing to be ashamed about.
