Going a bit deeper into the Anxiety Disorders known as BFRBs

 Dermatillomania, trichotillomania, and onychophagia are anxiety disorders.

Dermatillomania sufferers uncontrollably pick at their skin.

Trichotillomania sufferers uncontrollably pull out their hair, one strand at a time.

Onychophagia sufferers uncontrollably bite their nails and/or cuticles.

People with one or more of these disorders, which are known as body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs) experience great fear of being judged, which leads to intense worry about what others might think or say if wounds or scabs are visible. “What if” scenarios induce the feeling of shame, even if they don’t occur. And then, when they do occur, the shame becomes intense. Depression is often a coexisting condition.

Symptoms of BFRBs often begin during childhood or adolescence. Females are more likely than males to experience them. Anyone who has lived through trauma of any kind is more likely to develop one of these disorders, which affect not only their mental health but their physical health as well.

Diagnosis and treatment

Fortunately, there are now several professionals currently treating BFRBs, and I am so honored to have met them at the first ever conference dedicated to skin-picking disorder in Chicago in May 2026, launched and facilitated beautifully by the Picking Me Foundation, founded by Lauren McKeaney.

If you’re looking for support for any of these three BFRBs, first check out Lauren McKeaney's story. Once you do, you’ll understand why she started this non-profit foundation.

Then, check out the websites these amazing, caring professionals, many of whom also have experienced a BFRB of their own. Most offer remote sessions:

Dr. Laura Chackes, Center for Mindfulness and CBT

Dr. Renae Reinardy, Lakeside Center for Behavioral Change

Dr. Jacob Cross, Curious Minds Psychiatry

Dahlya Brown Shook, MOT, CMHIMP, CHC, Holistic Medical Healing

Meryl Da Costa, SkinPick

Professor Clare Mackay, University of Oxford, TrichProf

Thank you for helping me advocate for more awareness of these types of anxiety disorders. So many people need help and don’t know where to find it. This is a start.