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Excoriation Disorder

NatureLoverSenior Contributor25 Mar 2022, 8:09 am AEDT

Excoriation Disorder

I'm wanting to start a thread for those of us with Excoriation Disorder.

It's a new diagnosis in the latest DSM-5. It was previously throught to be a part of OCD or BPD, but now has its own definition.

So for me, I pick/scratch my skin raw, and have done since a baby. I always have wounds, on my face, hands, arms, legs and head. Being female, I can use cover-up makeup on them when I go out.

It's not SH (self harm), although it has turned into SH in the past when I was suicidal. It actually soothes me, helps me think through things, and comforts me. It also distracts me from emotional pain. I use it for emotional regulation. After 50 years of doing it, it's an addiction now.

Mine stems from a super-critical, emotionally abusive parent, although there are other causes listed in the DSM-5.

There are also other forms of Excoriation Disorder.

Looking forward to chatting with others about this!

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In response to: Excoriation Disorder

AppleblossomSenior Contributor27 Mar 2022, 12:25 pm AEDT

Re: Excoriation Disorder

@AlSimon Self awareness and self acceptance maybe ...

I have a low grade level of excoriation and trichotillomania disorder, mostly nail biting but it can flare up to self harm at times. Mainly it is more of a self soothing behaviour. I have relaxed about it and allow it in myself, as to focus on fixing myself for all that is wrong sends me into agitation. I stopped nail biting in my 20s and started again in my 40s.

In response to: Re: Excoriation Disorder

NatureLoverSenior Contributor28 Mar 2022, 7:38 am AEDT

Re: Excoriation Disorder

@Appleblossom wrote:
I have a low grade level of excoriation and trichotillomania disorder, mostly nail biting but it can flare up to self harm at times.

I didn't know that about you, @Appleblossom ... 💚

In response to: Re: Excoriation Disorder

AppleblossomSenior Contributor28 Mar 2022, 11:40 am AEDT

Re: Excoriation Disorder

I think it is about NOT being comfortable in one's skin ... a lot of mental health issues revolve around that. I was singing in a choir concert and the lady next to me, a uni lecturer, said she was shocked that I picked at my hands quietly the whole way through, while we were performing. I told her it was CPTSD, which she could recognise. I was not aware it was noticeable or alarming, just my unconscious way of working off chronic agitation and anxiety, but it was probably a good thing she actually said something. It did not seem to affect my performance, the benefit of large choirs. My son does not like it, but I have asked him to just let it be.

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